Question

Which answer best describes the continental shelf?

thick deposits of sediments carried out from land
area of land that drops toward deep ocean basins
75-mile shallow flat area just off coastlines
the surf area along coastlines

Answer 1

The continental shelf is a shallow, flat area just off coastlines, less than 180 meters deep. It is composed of sand and silt, and its sediment is primarily derived from the land.

Step-by-step explanation:

The continental shelf is a shallow, flat area just off coastlines. It extends from the shoreline to the shelf break, where the slope of the land becomes steeper. The shelf is typically less than 180 meters (600 feet) in water depth. It is mainly composed of sand and silt, and its energy decreases with distance from the shore. The sediment on the shelf is primarily derived from the land through rivers and wind currents.