![The broad, gentle pitch of the continental shelf gives way to the relatively steep continental &elipsis; [Credit: Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.]](http://images.bookrags.com/images/eb/3173.gif)
The broad, gentle pitch of the continental shelf gives way to the relatively steep continental &elipsis; [Credit: Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.]Broad, relatively shallow submarine platform that forms a border to a continent, typically extending from the coast to depths of 330–660 ft (100–200 m). Continental shelves average about 40 mi (65 km) in width.
Almost everywhere they are simply a continuation of the continental landmass: narrow, rough, and steep off mountainous coasts but broad and comparatively level offshore from plains. Continental shelves are usually covered with a layer of sand, silts, and silty muds. Their surfaces feature small hills and ridges that alternate with shallow depressions and valley-like troughs. In a few cases, steep-walled V-shaped submarine canyons cut deeply into both the shelf and the slope below.
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