(a) Draw a diagram to show the… | Geography

Question 1 Report

(a) Draw a diagram to show the relief features of an ocean floor.

(b) Highlight three main characteristics of the continental shelf.

Answer

Answer Details

(a) Relief features of the ocean floor

(b) Three characteristics of the continental shelf

It is the shallow, gently sloping submerged margin of a continent, extending from the coast to the shelf break.
It is generally less than about 200 m deep and is a continuation of the coastal plain beneath the sea.
Its width varies considerably, and its shallow water permits sunlight penetration; it is therefore rich in plankton and marine life.

(c) Importance of the continental shelf to man

It provides some of the world’s richest fishing grounds because plankton and fish thrive in its shallow, sunlit waters.
It contains valuable mineral resources, especially petroleum and natural gas, which are extracted by offshore drilling.
Its sheltered shallow waters provide suitable places for anchorage, ports, recreational activities and tourism.

(a) Draw a diagram to show the relief features of an ocean floor. (b) Highlight three main characteristics of the continental shelf. (c) In what three ways ...