MAJOR OCEAN RELIEF FEATURES.

#geography #oceanography #GS1

1. CONTINENTAL SHELF.

 ◇ Continental shelf is gently sloping (gradient of 1°C or less) seaward extension of Continental plate.

◇ Shelves cover 7.5% of total area of the Oceans.

◇ Shelf typically ends at very steep slope, called the Shelf break.

2. CONTINENTAL SLOPE.

◇ Gradient of slope region varies between 2-5°C.

◇ Continental slope boundary indicates the end of Continents.

◇ Canyons and trenches are observed in this region.

3. CONTINENTAL RISE.

◇ Continental slope gradually loses its steepness with depth.

◇ When slope reaches a level of between 0.5° and 1°, it is referred to as the Continental rise.

4. DEEP SEA PLAIN or ABYSSAL PLAIN.

◇ Deep sea plain are gently sloping areas of the ocean basins.

◇ They are flattest and smoothest regions of the world.

◇ These plains are covered with fine - grained sediments like Clay and silt.