Q. Where is the continental shelf the narrowest?
The southern and northern ends are relatively wide, with width of 65–215 km; the middle is narrow, with the narrowest point of only 27 km. The slope edge of the continental shelf generally has water depth between 200 and 250 m.
Q. What lives in continental shelf?
Lobster, Dungeness crab, tuna, cod, halibut, sole and mackerel can be found. Permanent rock fixtures are home to anemones, sponges, clams, oysters, scallops, mussels and coral. Larger animals such as whales and sea turtles can be seen in continental shelf areas as they follow migration routes.
Q. What are the two types of continental margins and how do they differ?
There are two types of continental margins: active and passive margins. Active margins are typically associated with lithospheric plate boundaries. Convergent active margins occur where oceanic plates meet continental plates. The denser oceanic plate subducts below the less dense continental plate.
Q. What does the continental margin include?
The continental margins consist of three portions: (1) the continental shelf which has shallow water depths rarely deeper than 650 ft) and extends seaward from the shoreline to distances ranging from 12.3 miles to 249 miles, (2) the continental slope where the bottom drops off to depths of up to 3.1 miles, and (3) the …
Q. What separates the continental shelf from the abyssal plain?
Continental slope, seaward border of the continental shelf. The broad, gentle pitch of the continental shelf gives way to the relatively steep continental slope. The more gradual transition to the abyssal plain is a sediment-filled region called the continental rise.
Q. What do you mean by continental slope?
A continental slope is defined by the IHO as “the slope seaward from the shelf to the upper edge of a continental rise or the point where there is a general reduction of slope.
Q. What are the four components of the continental margin?
The continental shelf, slope, and rise are collectively called the continental margin.
