Final answer:
Bathymetry is the measurement of ocean depth and seafloor topography. It involves mapping the sea floor to understand the topography and geological structures beneath bodies of water.
Step-by-step explanation:
A measurement of ocean depth and seafloor topography is c) bathymetry. Bathymetry is the practice of measuring the depth of water in oceans, seas, or lakes. Specialists use various methods to chart the seafloor, giving us valuable understanding of the lake or sea floor's topography, much like a terrestrial map describes the topology of the land.
Basins on the seafloor are topographic or bathymetric lows, often having sediment deposits that reveal historical geological events like the movement of tectonic plates and the erosion patterns influenced by environmental conditions. The study of seafloor topography is essential for a range of disciplines including geography, marine biology, and environmental science.