Continental Slope

06/12/26

“How does the ocean transition from shallow to deep waters?”

The ocean’s continental shelf defines its shallow layers. But when does it transition to deep water? Well, once the continental shelf reaches its border, it will go through a Continental Slope that descends at an average of 4 degrees until it hits the abyssal plain. Continental slope gradients are closest off stable coastlines that lack major rivers and are highest near young mountain ranges with narrow continental shelves.

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• Earth/Climate science