Continental margin

zone of the ocean floor that separates the thin oceanic crust from thick continental crust

The continental margin is the zone of the ocean floor that separates the thin oceanic crust from thick continental crust. Together, the continental shelf, continental slope, and continental rise are called the continental margin. Continental margins are about 28% of the oceanic area.[1]

Profile illustrating the shelf, slope and rise

References

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  1. P.J. Cook & Chris Carleton 2000. Continental shelf limits: the scientific and legal interface. ISBN 0-19-511782-4