TIL:

1. That the mesopelagic layer (200-1000m) deep is so full of "fish" that it messes with sonar.

2. That I should use "fish" because so little is known about them that there's no real helpful taxonomy (fish identification) guides

3. That scientists and governments want to exploit this little known area.

Can't help but feel that ends well. 😕

https://www.nature.com/articles/s44183-023-00008-8

#mesopelagic #MesoPelagicFish #DeepScatteringLayer

The “deep scattering layer” is a phantom bottom to the ocean floor that confounded the new sonar operators after world war ii, but it turned out that the sound was just reflecting off the swim bladders of lanternfish and other mesopelagic biomass.

What alternate figures for “twitter migration” do you spend your Friday nights contemplating?

#deepscatteringlayer
#oceanography #sonar #lanternfish