Abstract: A computer driven system which receives time-binned echo strength data, and hich, for each series of echo strengths received, stores the echo strength data in computer memory, and automatically associates with that data the latitude, longitude and time at which the data were generated. From these data, the algorithm classifies the sediments, which produced the echo strengths, determining such parameters as sediment acoustic impedance, porosity, attenuation, grain size, density, acoustic velocity, and shear strength. System software can produce additional result files in which these properties are associated with corresponding echo strength data. Both the raw and reduced data are displayable in human readable form, preferably on a computer monitor, for operator review. System software can also generate navigation plots which trace on a map, preferably on computer monitor, points at which data are taken, and the bottom sediment at those points.