what is continental shelf
The continental shelf is an underwater landmass which extends from a continent, resulting in an area of relatively shallow water known as a shelf sea.Much of the shelves were exposed during glacial periods and interglacial periods.The shelf surrounding an island is known as an insular shelf.The continental margin, between the continental shelf and the abyssal plain, comprises a steep continental slope followed by the flatter continental rise.Sediment from the continent above cascades down the slope and accumulates as a pile of sediment at the base of the slope, called the continental rise.he shelf surrounding an island is known as an insular shelf. The continental margin, between the continental shelf and the abyssal plain, comprises a steep continental slope followed by the flatter continental rise.