| the part of a continent that is submerged in relatively shallow sea. |
continental shelf  (click for larger image in new window) n. A submerged border of a continent that slopes gradually and extends to a point of steeper descent to the ocean bottom. |
The region adjoining the coastline of a continent, where the ocean is no more than a few hundred feet deep. The shelf is built up from sediments washed down to the sea by rivers.
Note: The continental shelves are often valuable because of the mineral resources and abundant marine life found there. (See offshore drilling.)