Magnetic Technology in Hydrographic Surveying

In an earlier blog, we talked about the role of magnets in land surveying and mapping; this week, we’re covering the fascinating world of hydrographic surveying. Similar to land surveying, the goal of hydrographic surveying is to determine the depth of the water and the topography of the bottom of say, a lake or ocean. The civil engineers who partake in these surveys use similar tools as they would above ground — in this case, a magnetometer with a magnetic sensor.

Hydrographic Surveying with Magnets

Reasons why an individual or a business may require hydrographic surveying include the following:

To build a dock or boat marina
Dredging for resources, evidence, or to clear an area
Planning for waterways (e.g., diverting water)
Locating wrecked ships
Locating pipelines

The teams of people working on an underwater survey are trying to determine the layout in detail. It would be unwise to start an underwater project without a survey that tells you what you will encounter.

In addition to a magnetometer, another important tool for surveyors is sonar — single beam or multi-beam. These use sound waves to bounce off any objects and determine the distance. The magnetometer on the other hand locates and pinpoints ferrous metal, such as wrecks or pipelines, by detecting local changes in the magnetic field.

A basic magnetic sensor can be a coil of wire wound around a core, while some designs use a permanent magnet, such as a neodymium bar magnet. For any professional looking for the right magnet for their magnetometer, a custom solution would likely be best, which would allow you to specifically choose things like dimensions, pull strength, and coating.

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