This paper considers the formation problem for a group of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). In order to reduce the energy consumption of communications among AUVs, a distributed dynamic event-triggered leader-follower consensus control strategy is proposed. First, we design an auxiliary variable that includes general? ized position and carrier speed, which simplifies the AUV model. Based on sliding mode variable structure control, consistency theory, and dynamic event-triggered strategy, a distributed formation controller is designed. The control? ler ensures that the AUV system can achieve the formation goal in the presence of external disturbances. Second, no Zeno behavior is exhibited under the proposed control algorithm. Last, numerical simulation results are provided to verify the correctness of the presented theorem and the effectiveness of the proposed control algorithm.