Final answer:
Bathymetry refers to submarine topography and is the study of the depths and shapes of underwater terrain.
Step-by-step explanation:
Bathymetry refers to submarine topography. It is the study of the depths and shapes of underwater terrain. Bathymetry involves mapping the ocean floor and its features, much like topography refers to the study of the shapes and features of the land surface. Just as geologists can use topographical maps on land to study the features of the Earth's surface, they use bathymetric data to understand the seafloor. From basin formation, which are low areas that have strata dipping toward the center and can contain thick sediment accumulations, to bed forms on the ocean bottom that undulate due to currents and waves, bathymetry covers a wide array of underwater phenomena.
Plate tectonics also influence the seafloor's topography and bathymetry helps predict geological past events based on the present seabed's structure. For instance, turbidites are sedimentary deposits formed by underwater slopes failing, causing currents to carry and sort particles by density, creating distinct geological features. Through the study of bathymetry, scientists gain insights into the underwater landscape, which is crucial for understanding oceanic processes, including navigation, laying submarine cables, and ecological studies.