Final answer:
The correct answer to the student's question is c. Bathymetry, which is the study of the underwater depth of lake or ocean floors. It is crucial for understanding marine science, plate tectonics, and ecological dynamics.
Step-by-step explanation:
When measuring the distance to the seafloor in an ocean, you are measuring c. Bathymetry. Bathymetry is the study of the underwater depth of lake or ocean floors. In other words, it is the underwater equivalent to topography on land. When geologists study bathymetry, they are mapping the shape, floor, and depth of underwater terrain. This practice is critical in understanding various aspects of marine science, such as the landscape of ocean floors, plate tectonics, and the profile of the ocean that affects tidal movements.
The topography of an area, including the seafloor, can greatly influence biological diversity and ecological dynamics in both terrestrial and marine systems. Similarly, plate tectonics and understanding of ancient geologic activities are closely linked to bathymetric profiling. Geologists can interpret past plate tectonic activity by analyzing the bathymetry of the region.