High-intensity active sonar can potentially disturb marine mammals that rely on their own natural sonar for communication and navigation, which is why modern systems are designed with environmental impact in mind.

1D (Echo sounders) only measure depth below the sensor; 2D sonar provides a flat, slice-like view; 3D/Imaging sonar provides a volumetric, spatial view of the

Active sonar emits its own sound pulses to detect objects. Passive sonar simply listens for sounds already being made by other objects or marine life.

Cameras often fail in murky or zero-visibility water. Sonar allows ROVs to "see" through silt, darkness, and sediment where light cannot penetrate.

It is an imaging sonar that sends out multiple beams simultaneously to create a detailed, real-time 3D map or image of the seafloor and objects.

It stands for SOund Navigation and Ranging.