Recent advances in geomorphometry: opportunities for submarine geomorphology

Marine applications of geomorphometry, the discipline that enables quantitative measurements of the shape of the terrain, have gained significant traction in the past decade. With these applications came the need for methodological developments to address the specific challenges associated with seabed sampling and characterization. This contribution reviews how marine geomorphometry can support submarine geomorphology efforts, with a focus on recent advances. New methods from both general (i.e., continuous measurements) and specific (i.e., discrete measurements) geomorphometry will be discussed, including multiscale approaches for seabed characterization and automated classification workflows. These recent methodological developments will be put in context with how they can contribute to the investigation of a wide variety of aspects associated with the study of submarine geomorphology, such as bedforms, geomorphic processes, and geohazards. This contribution will conclude by presenting the current challenges marine geomorphometry faces and its future opportunities for submarine geomorphology.