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shelf

1. n. []

Continental shelf, or the area at the edges of a continent from the shoreline to a depth of 200 m [660 ft], where the continental slope begins. The shelf is commonly a wide, flat area with a slight seaward slope. The term is sometimes used as a for platform.

Alternate Form: continental shelf

See: bathyaldeepwater playglauconiteneriticplatform

Profile of continental margin to abyss