Question

To what depth does the continental shelf extend?

• A. A. Up to 100 metres
• B. B. Up to 125 to 200 metres
• C. C. Up to 1000 metres
• D. D. Up to 6000 metres

Answer 1

Answer:

B. B. Up to 125 to 200 metres

• The continental slope after some distance forming the continental rise which may be geologically active.

• Continental rise has canyons and trenches which are subject to underwater eruptions and avalanches. The region of the continental slope and rise together comprise the bathyal zone.

• The bathyal zone which is 200 metres deep descends rapidly to a depth of 3,000 or 4,000 m.

• From this the bottom drops for further several thousand metres and levels, off around 6,000 m to form the broad flat abyssal plains where temperature is never above 4°C.