<P> The continental shelf is the portion of the continental margin that transitions from the shore out towards to ocean . They are believed to make up 7 percent of the sea floor . The width of continental shelves worldwide varies from a 30 meters to 1500 kilometers . It is generally flat , and ends at the shelf break , where there is a drastic increase in slope angle . The mean slope of continental shelves worldwide is 0 ° 07 ' degrees , and typically steeper closer to the coastline than it is near the shelf break . At the shelf break begins the continental slope , which can be one to five kilometers above the deep - ocean floor . The continental slope often exhibits features called submarine canyons . Submarine canyons often cut into the continental shelves deeply , with near vertical slopes , and continue to cut the morphology to the abyssal plain . The valleys are often V - shaped , and can sometime enlarge onto the continental shelf . At the base of the continental slope , there is a sudden decrease in slope , and the sea floor begins to level out towards the abyssal plain . This portion of the seafloor is called the continental rise , and marks the end of the continental margin . </P>
<P> The continental shelf is the portion of the continental margin that transitions from the shore out towards to ocean . They are believed to make up 7 percent of the sea floor . The width of continental shelves worldwide varies from a 30 meters to 1500 kilometers . It is generally flat , and ends at the shelf break , where there is a drastic increase in slope angle . The mean slope of continental shelves worldwide is 0 ° 07 ' degrees , and typically steeper closer to the coastline than it is near the shelf break . At the shelf break begins the continental slope , which can be one to five kilometers above the deep - ocean floor . The continental slope often exhibits features called submarine canyons . Submarine canyons often cut into the continental shelves deeply , with near vertical slopes , and continue to cut the morphology to the abyssal plain . The valleys are often V - shaped , and can sometime enlarge onto the continental shelf . At the base of the continental slope , there is a sudden decrease in slope , and the sea floor begins to level out towards the abyssal plain . This portion of the seafloor is called the continental rise , and marks the end of the continental margin . </P>
what is the region beyond the continental margin
what is the region beyond the continental margin
continental shelf
continental shelf