Final answer:
Satellite altimetry measures the distance from satellites to the ocean surface using radar, allowing scientists to infer the topography of the ocean floor. Continuous measurements create a detailed map that is refined by taking into account various factors, including the impacts of relativity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Satellite altimetry is a remote sensing technology that uses radar to measure the distance between a satellite and the surface of the ocean. Despite the fact that it measures the surface of the water, it can be utilized to infer the topography of the ocean floor beneath. This technique assumes that the water surface will bulge over underwater mountains and dip over ocean trenches, mirroring the topography of the seafloor below due to gravitational attraction.
The satellite sends down a radar signal towards the ocean, and the signal then bounces back to the satellite. The time it takes for the signal to return is recorded, allowing scientists to calculate the distance traveled. When these measurements are taken continuously over the same area, they can be compiled to generate precise data points that show the height of the water surface. This way, a detailed topographical map of the surface is created and displayed on a computer monitor. The algorithm used for analysis takes into account various factors, including the impacts of relativity and other complex principles related to it.
Altimetry data, in conjunction with other methods like seismic surveys and sediment sampling by organizations such as the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP), provides a comprehensive way to study the ocean floor. Furthermore, the analysis and cross-referencing of data from multiple sources create nuanced images and models of the ocean floor's geography.