What are continental shelf deposits?
A continental shelf is a portion of a continent that is submerged under an area of relatively shallow water known as a shelf sea. Extending as far as 500 km (310 mi) from the slope, it consists of thick sediments deposited by turbidity currents from the shelf and slope.
What formed the continental shelf?
Over many millions of years, organic and inorganic materials formed continental shelves. Inorganic material built up as rivers carried sediment—bits of rock, soil, and gravel—to the edges of the continents and into the ocean. These sediments gradually accumulated in layers at the edges of continents.
What does deposition of sediment mean?
What is sediment deposition? Sediment is solid material that is or has been transported from its site of origin by air, water, gravity, or ice to a field or low landscape position. Deposition occurs when the amount of sediment becomes greater than the carrying capacity of the force that is moving it.
How do the sedimentary deposits of the Inner and Outer continental shelf differ?
How and why do the sediments on the inner and outer continental shelf differ? Inner shelf deposits are mostly sand whereas those of the outer shelf are mostly mud; both have marine fossils and bioturbation. Most limestone originates in shallow, warm sea where little detrial mud is present.
What lives in the continental shelf?
Lobster, Dungeness crab, tuna, cod, halibut, sole and mackerel can be found. Permanent rock fixtures are home to anemones, sponges, clams, oysters, scallops, mussels and coral. Larger animals such as whales and sea turtles can be seen in continental shelf areas as they follow migration routes.
What are the limits of the continental shelf?
Coastal countries have exclusive rights to resources located within the continental shelf, which legally is defined as the seabed up to roughly 370 km (200 nautical miles) from shore or to the outer edge of the continental margin, whichever is farther, subject to an overall limit of about 650 km (350 nautical miles) …
What is the most common place for sediment to be deposited?
What is the most common place for sediment to be deposited? Deltas, river banks, and the bottom of waterfalls are common areas where sediment accumulates. Glaciers can freeze sediment and then deposit it elsewhere as the ice carves its way through the landscape or melts.