Question

Order the depths of the sea shelves from shallowest to deepest. What is the vertical distance from the shallowest shelf to the deepest shelf? Explain.

Option 1: Continental Shelf, Continental Slope, Abyssal Plain, Trench
Option 2: Abyssal Plain, Trench, Continental Shelf, Continental Slope
Option 3: Trench, Abyssal Plain, Continental Slope, Continental Shelf
Option 4: Continental Slope, Trench, Abyssal Plain, Continental Shelf

Answer 1

The correct order from shallowest to deepest is: Continental Shelf, Continental Slope, Abyssal Plain, Trench. The continental shelf is the shallowest, and trenches are typically the deepest parts of the ocean. The vertical distance between the shallowest and the deepest points can be over 10,000 meters.

Step-by-step explanation:

To order the depths of the sea shelves from shallowest to deepest, we look at the different zones of the ocean. Starting with the shallowest, the Continental Shelf is found at the edge of the continent and is relatively shallow. Progressing to deeper areas, the Continental Slope marks the end of the continental shelf and the beginning of the steep descent into the ocean depths.

The correct order from shallowest to deepest is: Continental Shelf, Continental Slope, Abyssal Plain, Trench. To find the vertical distance from the shallowest shelf (Continental Shelf) to the deepest shelf (Trench), you would subtract the average depth of the continental shelf (less than 200 m) from the maximum depth of the trenches, which can exceed 10,000 m in some areas such as the Mariana Trench.