Final answer:
To illustrate a continental shelf, one must identify the slightly submerged edges of continents in shallow waters, typically shown as a patterned area on geographical representations; none of the provided options are correct for illustrating a continental shelf.
Step-by-step explanation:
The continental shelf is the submerged portion of a continent's crust found in relatively shallow waters, extending from the shoreline to the shelf break, where there is a significant change in slope. It is often characterized by a stippled pattern on maps, and it is the flat part of the continental margin. To illustrate a continental shelf, one would look for a visual representation that highlights this shallow submergence adjacent to a landmass, typically marked on geographical diagrams or relief maps. From the given options (earthquakes, continental drift, mountain building, volcanic eruptions, creation of the Hawaiian island chain), none directly illustrate a continental shelf. Instead, these options pertain to other geological phenomena.
School exercises may include cutting out landmasses along the edge of a continental shelf or piece together continental puzzles to understand historical supercontinent forms like Pangea. This type of activity helps students visualize the connections between continental shelves and plate tectonics and comprehend the supporting fossil evidence that aligns with the theory of continental drift.