Kontinentaalsel

Kontinentaalsel is a term used in geology and geography to describe a type of continental margin that is characterized by a gradual slope descending from the continental shelf to the deep ocean basin. This type of margin is typically found in areas where the continental crust is relatively thin and the underlying mantle is relatively shallow. The continental slope in a kontinentaalsel margin is usually steep, ranging from 2 to 5 degrees, and can extend for hundreds of kilometers. The continental rise, a gently sloping area at the base of the continental slope, is also a characteristic feature of kontinentaalsel margins. This type of margin is often associated with passive margins, which are formed by the rifting of a continent and the subsequent spreading of the oceanic crust. Examples of kontinentaalsel margins can be found along the eastern coasts of North and South America, as well as along the western coast of Africa. The study of kontinentaalsel margins is important for understanding the geological history of continents, the processes of continental rifting and breakup, and the distribution of marine sediments.