SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING AND MEASURING PHENOMENA RELATING TO ALTIMETRIC VARIATIONS IN THE SEAFLOOR

The present invention relates to a system and method for detecting and measuring phenomena relating to altimetric variations in the seafloor. The system (100) according to the present invention comprise an autonomous submarine vehicle (101) equipped with at least one interferometric sonar sensor (102) for sending an acoustic signal towards the seafloor and acquiring the image of the seafloor generated by the reflection of said acoustic signal sent, and is characterized in that it comprises a plurality of elements (103, 103') reflecting the sound waves firmly fixed to the seafloor so as to outline a reference path for the passage of the autonomous submarine vehicle (101). The method (200) according to the present invention comprises the steps consisting of installing (210) a plurality of elements (103, 103') reflecting the sound waves at the seafloor so as to form a reference path for an autonomous submarine vehicle (101) equipped with at least one interferometric sonar sensor (102); passing (220) the autonomous submarine vehicle (101) at a predetermined depth along the reference path formed by the plurality of elements (103, 103') reflecting the sound waves; sending (230) at least one acoustic signal towards the seafloor; acquiring (240) a plurality of images of the seafloor generated by the reflection of the signals sent, the images of the seafloor comprising at least one signal reflected by the reflecting elements (103, 103'); analyzing (260) the images acquired to determine and quantify any possible altimetric variations.