General Studies- I: Geography [10 Marks 150 Words] 

Answer Structure:

• Introduction: Definition Continental Shelf
• Body: variations in Continental Shelf
• Conclusion: Source of fossil fuels

Answer

Introduction

The continental shelf is the extended margin of each continent occupied by relatively shallow seas and gulfs. 

It is the shallowest part of the ocean , the shelf typically ends at a very steep slope, called the shelf break. 

Body 

The width of the continental shelves varies from one ocean to another. The average width of continental shelves is about 80 km.

 The shelves are almost absent or very narrow along some of the margins like the coasts of Chile, the west coast of Sumatra, etc. 

On the contrary, the Siberian shelf in the Arctic Ocean, the largest in the world, stretches to 1,500 km in width. 

The depth of the shelves also varies. It may be as shallow as 30 m in some areas, while in some areas it is as deep as 600 m. 

Conclusion

The continental shelves are covered with variable thicknesses of sediments brought down by rivers, glaciers, wind, from the land and distributed by waves and currents. Massive sedimentary deposits received over a long time by the continental shelves, become the source of fossil fuels.

(The model answer provided by us strictly follows the word limit, the above answer is compiled in 178 words.)

Practicing answers sticking to the word limit will aid the aspirants to write answers precisely and to the point avoiding unnecessary things. 

(Titles :  Introduction, Body and Conclusion are just for reference, aspirants should not write these titles in the answer sheet.)