Term

continental shelf

Term

The gently seaward-sloping surface that extends between the shoreline and the top of the continental slope at about 150 m depth. The average gradient of the shelf is between 1:500 and 1:1000 and, although it varies greatly, the average width is approximately 70 km.

Synonyms:

Source:

EEA Glossary

Context:

Comment

Definition source publication

Allaby, 1994. Quoted in: European Topic Centre on Nature Conservation. 1998. EUNIS habitat classification. Final draft with further revisions to marine habitats. United Kingdom.

Publication year

1994

Definition source URL

http://glossary.eea.europa.eu/EEAGlossary

Organisation

Organisation full name

Allaby, 1994

Subjects