Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Sonar: A New Tool for Seafloor Characterization

Interferometric synthetic aperture sonar (InSAS) is an emerging sonar technology for high-resolution mapping and imaging of the seafloor. This technology is increasingly utilized for defense- and commercial-related applications. However, its application for scientific and environmental purposes remains limited. In this article, we describe the development of InSAS as a tool for seafloor characterization. We discuss the potential applications for InSAS that extend its use beyond traditional defense and offshore infrastructure related surveys to applications for habitat classification, environmental monitoring, and seafloor geological characterization.