Acoustic seabed segmentation from direct statistical clustering of entire multibeam sonar backscatter curves

► A new method is given to classify multibeam sonar backscatter data for seabed type. ► Each backscatter curve is treated as a geometrical entity or shape. ► Direct statistical clustering of curves (a new statistical concept) is applied. ► Each cluster represents a seabed class, represented by the cluster central tendency. ► The mappings form standalone charts of seafloor acoustic properties.