Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The study of ocean floors involves measuring and mapping underwater topography, including submarine trenches, mid-ocean ridges, seamounts, continental shelves, and abyssal plains.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The scientific study and measurement of underwater depth of lake or ocean floors is called Bathymetry.
Bathymetric maps are the underwater equivalents of topographic land maps, providing visual and mathematical representations of the structural features and relief of the ocean floor.
Historically, bathymetric data was collected using simple lead-line drops.
In modern oceanography, it is mapped with exceptional precision using advanced acoustic technologies, such as Single-Beam and Multi-Beam Echo Sounders (sonar), and satellite altimetry.
Let us clarify the other terms:
1. Thermometry: The scientific measurement of temperature.
2. Geometry: A branch of mathematics concerned with space, shapes, and sizes of figures.
3. Oceanometry: An incorrect term; the scientific study of physical, chemical, and biological aspects of oceans is oceanography.
Step 4: Final Answer:
Therefore, the mapping of ocean bottom features is called Bathymetry.