Continental slope

Continental slope

The relatively steep slope usually found between the continental shelf and the abyssal plain. Continental slopes range from 3 to 6° in slope (with 4° being about average), range in depth from 100-300 m to 1400-3200 m, range in width from 20-100 km, and occupy about 8.5% of the ocean floor if the 2000 m contour is taken as the deeper border. The continental shelf and slope are said to comprise the continental margin.

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Part of Speech: noun
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Industry/Domain: Earth science
Category: Physical oceanography
Company: Texas A&M University
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Related terms

continental slope

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continental slope

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continental slope

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Steeply sloping portion of continental crust found between the continental shelf and continental rise.

continental slope

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The declivity from the outer edge of the continental shelf or continental borderland into greater depths.

continental slope

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