This paper systematically presents the current situation and prospects of basic and applied research of electrohydraulic effect. From the angle of basic research
the initial mechanism
development process
and shock wave formation of liquid discharge are introduced
respectively. The key points and difficulties of future research
such as the transient process of important parameters in the process of discharge initiation and development
are put forward in the aspects of modelling and experimental methods. From the angle of applied research
the current technology situation and application status in two scenarios: ocean and land of sparker source
which is the most widely applied technology of liquid discharge
are introduced in detail. Meanwhile
the development trend of deep water sparker source and controllable output of shock wave are discussed briefly in the application fields such as deep ocean resource investigation and underwater acoustic research.