What satellite technology is used to measure the sea floor features based on gravitational bulges?

Radar altimetry is the correct choice for measuring sea floor features based on gravitational bulges. This technology involves sending radar signals towards the ocean surface and measuring the time it takes for the signals to return after bouncing off the water. The variations in the return times and signal strength can indicate differences in surface elevation due to gravitational attractions. These gravitational bulges arise from the gravitational pull of underwater features like mountains and trenches, allowing for the mapping of the sea floor indirectly.

Through radar altimetry, researchers can obtain detailed information about the ocean's surface topography and, by inference, learn about the underlying ocean floor structures. This method is particularly valuable in areas that are difficult to survey through traditional means, as it allows for broad coverage over vast oceanic expanses.

In contrast, aerial photography and radar imaging do not provide the specific data necessary for analyzing sea floor features in this context, as they focus more on terrestrial applications or surface features rather than the underlying geological structures. Hyperspectral imaging, while effective for analyzing various surface materials and biological conditions, does not encompass the analysis of gravitational effects on the sea floor in the manner that radar altimetry does. Thus, radar altimetry is uniquely suited for the task of measuring sea floor features through