Whose work first identified the Deep Scattering Layer in the ocean?
Quick Answer
During World War II-era sonar studies, engineers and scientists including Milner B. Schaefer helped explain the mysterious “second echo” as the deep scattering layer. It is caused by vast numbers of fish and other organisms moving vertically each day.
The Full Story
The Deep Scattering Layer was first recognized through sonar observations in the 1940s, when vessels detected a mysterious band that rose and fell with the daily cycle. Researchers, including Milner B. Schaefer and others working in oceanography, showed that the echo came from dense communities of marine animals such as lanternfish, squid, and krill. These animals migrate upward at night to feed and descend during the day to avoid predators. It was one of the earliest discoveries showing how much life exists in the dark midwater ocean.
Key Facts
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Suggested video title for this topic:
"The ocean’s hidden living layer that shows up on sonar"