continental shelf

noun, Physical Geography

the part of a continent that is submerged in relatively shallow sea.

Origin

1940-45

Examples from the web for continental shelf

The transition from land to sea begins at the continental shelf, a gently sloping, submerged extension of the continent.
Many are the mere extension of a river canyon as it dumps into the ocean and flows across the continental shelf.
The ocean floor is divided into three segments: the continental shelf, the continental slope, and the deep-ocean or basin floor.
The continental shelf extends seaward from the current shoreline of many continental areas.
Treacherous shoals and reefs can be found along the continental shelf.
For predator and prey the continental shelf here makes ideal habitat.
Depending on how far out on the continental shelf an oil platform is located, workers may have to be flown in.
Most of the research is being conducted on the continental shelf.
It swirls around a bunch but then it settles on the continental shelf and eventually sediments into rock.
The level of surge in a particular area is also determined by the slope of the continental shelf.

British Dictionary definitions for continental shelf

continental shelf

noun

the sea bed surrounding a continent at depths of up to about 200 metres (100 fathoms), at the edge of which the continental slope drops steeply to the ocean floor

continental shelf in Science

continental shelf
The part of the edge of a continent between the shoreline and the continental slope. It is covered by shallow ocean waters and has a very gentle slope.

continental shelf in Culture

continental shelf definition

The region adjoining the coastline of a continent, where the ocean is no more than a few hundred feet deep. The shelf is built up from sediments washed down to the sea by rivers.

Note: The continental shelves are often valuable because of the mineral resources and abundant marine life found there. (See offshore drilling.)