What does continental margin mean in science?

The continental margin is the strip of ocean floor that lies adjacent to a continent. It’s also called the shelf or flat-sloping continental shelf depending on how it juts out from the continent. The continental shelf is known to be thinner and less stable than oceanic ridges and abyssal plains because it’s not protected by surrounding underwater mountains and valleys.

What does the continental margin mean in science?

The term “ continental margin” refers to the area where the ocean floor meets the edge of a continent. Because the oceanic crust is thicker than the continental crust, the oceanic crust is closer to the surface than the continental crust. Consequently, the edge of the oceanic crust is thinner than the edge of the continental crust, meaning that the oceanic and continental crusts meet at a ridge, rather than a trench.

What does the continental margin mean in marine biology?

The continental shelf is the ocean's most shallow section. It usually extends from the shoreline out to about a mile or two. The seafloor here slopes gently downward toward the abyssal plain, which is deeper still. Continental shelves are loaded with life and important fisheries.

What does the continental margin mean in chemistry?

The continental margin is the area along a coastline where the water is deeper than the surrounding ocean floor. This area is mainly composed of unconsolidated sediment that was once deposited on the ocean floor. This loose material has a high chemical content, therefore it is rich in minerals and natural resources.

What does the continental margin mean in biology?

The continental margin is an area of the ocean where the sublayers of rock are young, and the ocean floor is still being formed. The continents of the world are made of the same basic building blocks as the ocean floor. This means that the chemical make-up of the ocean floor is the same as the chemical make-up of the continents. The fact that the ocean floor matches the continents helps to explain the processes that shape the ocean floor.