continental shelf
noun Physical Geography.
the part of a continent that is submerged in relatively shallow sea.
Origin of continental shelf
First recorded in 1940–45
Words nearby 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
Scientific definitions for continental shelf
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.
Cultural definitions for continental shelf
continental shelf
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.
notes for continental shelf
The continental shelves are often valuable because of the
mineral resources and abundant marine life found there. (
See
offshore drilling.)