Which physical feature represents the true transition from the continent to the ocean basin?
A)The shoreline
B)The continental shelf
C)The continental slope
D)The continental rise
E)The deep-ocean floor

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The continental slope is the true transition from the continent to the ocean basin. It is the steep slope that marks the beginning of the deep ocean floor and is caused by the abrupt change in the elevation of the Earth's crust. The shoreline (A) marks the boundary between land and sea, but not necessarily the transition from the continent to the ocean basin. The continental shelf (B) is the shallow part of the ocean floor that extends from the shoreline to the continental slope, but it is not the true transition as it gradually slopes down rather than abruptly. The continental rise (D) is the gently sloping area at the base of the continental slope, but it is not the transition as it is still part of the continent-ocean boundary. The deep-ocean floor (E) is the area beyond the continental slope that makes up the majority of the ocean basin.

Which Physical Feature Represents the True Transition from the Continent