How Do You Spell CONTINENTAL SHELF?

Pronunciation: [kˌɒntɪnˈɛntə͡l ʃˈɛlf] (IPA)

The word "continental shelf" is spelled as /kɒntɪˈnɛntəl ʃɛlf/. The IPA phonetic transcription shows that the "c" is pronounced as "k" and the "o" is pronounced as "ɒ." The "i" is pronounced as "ɪ," and the stress is on the third syllable. The "e" at the end of "continental" is pronounced as "əl," and the "s" in "shelf" is pronounced as "ʃ." The spelling of this word reflects its origin, as it refers to the submerged land mass adjacent to a continent.

CONTINENTAL SHELF Meaning and Definition

1. A continental shelf refers to the submerged, gently sloping extension of a continent that extends from the shoreline to the beginning of the steeper continental slope. This area represents the submerged part of a continent or an island, and it is covered by shallow seas or oceans.

   The continental shelf can vary in width, ranging from a few kilometers to hundreds of kilometers, and its depth can vary from just a few meters to several hundred meters. Generally, it is the shallowest part of the ocean.

   The continental shelf is created through various geological processes, including plate tectonics and the deposition of sediments from rivers and glaciers. Sediments such as sand, silt, and clay accumulate on the continental shelf, making it highly fertile and ideal for supporting marine life.

   It plays a significant role in the overall structure of the Earth's surface, acting as a buffer zone between the land and the deep ocean. The continental shelf is of economic importance as it is home to valuable mineral and energy resources, including oil and gas deposits. It also serves as an essential source for fisheries, providing a rich breeding ground for various marine species.

   Furthermore, the continental shelf plays a vital role in coastal protection as it acts as a barrier, reducing the impact of waves and storms on the shoreline. Overall, the continental shelf is a crucial component of the Earth's geography and holds immense ecological, economic, and environmental significance.

Common Misspellings for CONTINENTAL SHELF

• xontinental shelf
• vontinental shelf
• fontinental shelf
• dontinental shelf
• cintinental shelf
• ckntinental shelf
• clntinental shelf
• cpntinental shelf
• c0ntinental shelf
• c9ntinental shelf
• cobtinental shelf
• comtinental shelf
• cojtinental shelf
• cohtinental shelf
• conrinental shelf
• confinental shelf
• conginental shelf
• conyinental shelf
• con6inental shelf

Etymology of CONTINENTAL SHELF

The word "continental" comes from the Latin term "continere", which means "to hold together" or "to contain". It is derived from the prefix "con-" meaning "together" and the verb "tenere" meaning "to hold".

The term "shelf" originated from the Old English word "scealf", which referred to a "ledge" or "shelf-like projection". This root word is also related to the German word "Schelf" and the Dutch word "schoef", meaning "shelf".

Therefore, the etymology of the word "continental shelf" can be understood as the combination of "continental", signifying a region connected to a continent, and "shelf", referring to a raised area or submerged ledge along the coast of a landmass.

Similar spelling words for CONTINENTAL SHELF

• continental congress,
• continental glacier,
• continental divide,
• continental slope,
• continental army,
• continental quilt,
• continent-wide,
• continental plan,
• continental drift.

Plural form of CONTINENTAL SHELF is CONTINENTAL SHELVES