Continental margin

Profile illustrating the shelf, slope and rise

A continental margin is the outer edge of continental crust abutting oceanic crust under coastal waters. It is one of the three major zones of the ocean floor, the other two being deep-ocean basins and mid-ocean ridges. The continental margin consists of three different features: the continental rise, the continental slope, and the continental shelf.[1] The continental shelf is the relatively shallow water area found in proximity to continents. Continental margins constitute about 28% of the oceanic area.[2]

  1. ^ V., Thurman, Harold (2014-01-01). Essentials of Oceanography. Pearson. ISBN 9780321668127. OCLC 815043823.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ Cook, P.J.; Carleton, Chris (2000). Continental shelf limits : the scientific and legal interface. Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-511782-4.

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