The Earth Contents

2. Plate Tectonics

The continental shelf is that part of the continent which lies in the oceans

A profile through the ocean basins shows an area of shelf adjacent to the coastline, called the continental shelf, which is generally defined as the region from the shore to a depth of 135 m. It can be as narrow as a few metres or as wide as several hundred kilometres. The continental shelf is generally underlain by granitic crust and is geologically part of the continent, rather than the ocean. The continental shelf is an increasingly important resource. It contains most of the world's important fisheries and also important mineral resources including oil (for example North Sea oil).

The continental shelf is important as a site for oil extraction and productive fish stocks.

Why is the continental shelf important to civilisation?