Which of the following best describes scale distortion?

Scale distortion refers to the phenomenon where distances on a map do not have a consistent correspondence to actual distances on the ground. This typically occurs in projections of three-dimensional surfaces onto two-dimensional maps, particularly when the area being represented covers a large geographic extent. Due to the nature of map projections, some areas may appear larger or smaller than they really are, leading to variations in true distances across the map. Thus, option B accurately defines scale distortion as it emphasizes the inconsistency in distance measurements that can arise depending on the map's projection.

This concept is critical in cartography and GIS, as understanding and accounting for scale distortion is essential when interpreting spatial relationships and making accurate measurements from maps. The other options do not specifically capture the essence of scale distortion; they address unrelated issues such as data integrity, elevation representation, or software problems, which do not focus on the distortion of scale in relation to distance representation on maps.