The study of underwater depths that is comparable to surface topography is known as?

Bathymetry is the study that focuses specifically on measuring and mapping underwater depths, analogous to how topography describes the features and elevations of land surfaces. It involves collecting data about the depth and shape of underwater terrain, usually in oceans, seas, and lakes, and creating detailed maps that represent these features.

Bathymetry is crucial for a wide range of applications, including navigation, marine construction, and understanding oceanic processes and ecosystems. It helps in identifying underwater landscapes such as ridges, valleys, and mountains on the ocean floor, providing insight into geological formations and habitats.

Other disciplines mentioned, while related to marine and underwater studies, focus on different aspects. Hydrography deals with the measure of water bodies and their characteristics, but it encompasses a broader range that includes currents, tides, and salinity, rather than just depth. Seismology is the study of seismic waves and earthquakes, and marine biology pertains to the study of marine organisms and their environments. None of these fields concentrate specifically on the measurement of underwater depths like bathymetry does.