An active continental margin commonly has a much narrower continental shelf and a considerably steeper continental slope than does a passive margin because:

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

An active continental margin is located where an oceanic plate is subducting beneath a continental plate. This subduction creates a deep-ocean trench, which forms a steep-sided slope on the continental margin. As a result, the continental shelf is narrower and the continental slope is steeper compared to a passive margin. Option B is incorrect because undersea volcanoes form seamounts or guyots on the ocean floor, but they do not directly affect the shape of the continental margin. Option C is partly correct, but turbidity currents are more commonly associated with passive margins, where sediments are more likely to accumulate on the shelf and slope. Option D is also incorrect because abyssal fans are formed by turbidity currents and submarine fans, which are more common on passive margins.

An Active Continental Margin Commonly Has a Much Narrower Continental