Bathymetry is the study of underwater depth of lake or
ocean floors. In other words, bathymetry is the underwater equivalent to
hypsometry or topography. The name comes from
Greek βαθύς (
bathus), "deep", and μέτρον (
metron), "measure". Bathymetric (or
hydrographic) charts are typically produced to support safety of surface or sub-surface navigation, and usually show seafloor relief or
terrain as contour lines (called
depth contours or
isobaths) and selected depths (
soundings), and typically also provide surface
navigational information. Bathymetric maps (a more general term where
navigational safety is not a concern) may also use a
Digital Terrain Model and artificial illumination techniques to illustrate the depths being portrayed.
Paleobathymetry is the study of past underwater depths.