Continental Shelf
- The Continental shelf is an extension of a continent's landmass beneath shallow ocean waters.
- It stretches from the shoreline to a distinct increase in depth known as the shelf break.
- Characterized by relatively gentle slopes compared to the deeper ocean floor.
- Comprised of continental crust, forming part of the Earth's lithosphere.
- Width varies widely, ranging from a few kilometers to hundreds of kilometers.
- Plays a crucial role in marine ecology, providing habitats for marine organisms.
- Important for commercial activities such as fishing, mineral exploration, and offshore oil drilling.
Continental Plates
- Continental plates, also known as continental lithospheric plates, are large, rigid sections of the Earth's lithosphere that contain continental crust.
- They are part of the Earth's tectonic plate system, which includes both continental and oceanic plates.
- Continental plates are typically thicker and less dense than oceanic plates due to the composition of their crust.
- These plates are in constant motion, driven by processes such as mantle convection and the force of gravity.
- The movement of continental plates can result in various geological phenomena, including earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and the formation of mountain ranges.
- Examples of continental plates include the North American Plate, South American Plate, Eurasian Plate, African Plate, Australian Plate, and Antarctic Plate.
- Continental plates interact with each other at plate boundaries, where their movements can lead to the formation of new crust, the subduction of one plate beneath another, or the sliding past each other along faults.
