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Oceans and Seas : Articicial classification of the vast ocean into smaller oceans
and seas for convenience
The oceans aand continents lie adjacent. TThe continental margins submerged under
oceans consts of
1. Continental Shelf
2. Continental slope
3. Continental rise
Continental shelf
extension of the continents under sea
7.4% of earths ocean area
Average depth is 100 fathom
Has a gentle slope
subjected tto intense exploration for natural resources
Sea level change greatly affects the shelves
Continental Slope
Transition zone between continental shelf and deep ocean floor
Shelf break marks the abrupt transiton from continental shelf to slope
Continental shelfs are steeper in active margins than passive margin
Continental rise: