What does continental shelves mean in geography

What does continental shelves mean in geography?

continental shelves are the flat, underwater extensions of coastlines. In general, they occur where the ocean’s water level is relatively shallow. In other words, continental shelves are flat because the water level is lower than that of the ocean floor. The water of the continental shelf is usually less salty than the water on the ocean floor.

What is the meaning of continental shelves mean in geography?

continental shelves are underwater mountain ranges that extend from the continents towards the ocean. Continental shelves are formed by the accumulation of sediment and debris left behind by rivers and glaciers. They are the first part of the ocean floor to be created and are sometimes referred to as the continental rampart.

What do the continental shelves mean in a speech?

Continental shelves are the portions of the ocean floor that lie below sea level and are adjacent to a coastline. They are an important source of food for marine life and coastal ecosystems. Continental shelves are located under the ocean’s surface where the water is shallowest, and the ocean’s weight causes the crust to sink into the mantle. Many are adjacent to continental plates, such as the North American and Eurasian plates, which form the earth’s crust. This allows for the transfer

What do the continental shelves mean in a report?

Continental shelves are the portion of the ocean bed that lies between the ocean’s surface and the underwater mountain range called the “continental slope.” The continental shelf is considered an extension of the land, so the ocean floor that is farther away from the shoreline is less well known.

What does the continental shelf mean in a geography test?

The continental shelf is a flat underwater plateau that extends from the coastline of a continent all the way to the edge of the ocean. Geologists believe the floor of the ocean originally formed from sands that were pushed up when the continents first formed, which makes the shelf's flat topography unique. This region is home to most of the world's large oceanic fisheries as well as the habitat for a wide variety of marine life.