continental shelf
Sign in to saveportion of a continent that is submerged under an area of relatively shallow water known as a shelf sea
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A continental shelf is the underwater edge of a continent that sits in relatively shallow water. It matters because these shallow sea areas are biologically productive zones that support fisheries and can contain valuable natural resources.
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Anatomy of a continental shelf of the south eastern coast of the United States
A continental shelf is a portion of a continent that is submerged under an area of relatively shallow water, known as a shelf sea. Much of these shelves were exposed by drops in sea level during glacial periods. The shelf surrounding an island is known as an "insular shelf."