How can a satellite sense the contours of the ocean bottom from space?
A) by shining a laser through the ocean to see the bottom
B) by using radar to sense the height of the sea surface over submerged features
C) by using sonar to measure ocean bottom contours directly
D) by sensing changes in gravity as it flies over trenches and mountain ranges

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Satellites use radar altimetry to measure the height of the sea surface, which is affected by the gravitational pull of underwater features like mountains and trenches, allowing them to infer the ocean bottom contours.

How Can a Satellite Sense the Contours of the Ocean