Answer in a paragraph:

Write a note on continental shelf and continental slope.

CONTINENTAL SHELF:

• A shallow and gently sloping platform extending out from the adjoining continental land mass into the sea is called Continental Shelf.

• The continental shelves are shallower and makes the sunlight to penetrate through water. This phenomenon leads to the abundant growth of grass, sea weeds and plankton.

• Hence these zones become the richest fishing grounds in the world. E.g. The Grand Banks of Newfoundland.

• These have deposits of minerals and mineral fuels. Hence, this zone becomes accessible for oil drilling and mining activities. E.g. Mumbai High in Arabian Sea.

CONTINENTAL SLOPE:

• A steep slope which descends from the edge of the continental shelf to the deep ocean-bed is called continental slope.

• It forms a boundary between the Continental Crust and the oceanic crust.

• The most important characteristic of continental slope is the presence of deep canyons and trenches.

• Due to the low penetration of sunlight, the slope has freezing temperature.

• Hence aquatic life has very slow rate of metabolism.