It is called Continental platform a type of surface belonging to the underwater bottom that is close to the coast and has depths of less than two hundred meters. It usually varies in terms of its amplitude because platforms have been found that can measure from a few meters to several kilometers.
These platforms are known as continental because they are the maritime continuation of the continents. This means that its geographical and geological basement is made up of continental-type crust..
Due to their geography, continental shelves are usually made up of abundant plant and animal life. This fact makes them areas of notable economic importance..
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Below are some characteristics shared by the continental shelves located in different parts of the world.
The continental shelves do not have a specific size or extension, since they can vary depending on the area in which they are located.
Due to its rich fauna and its proximity to the coast, the continental shelves are usually ideal for fishing activities. Generally, fish and other sea animals inhabit these areas, thanks to their corals and other forms of life rich in nutrients..
On some continental shelves it has been possible to install oil wells thanks to their shallow depth and easy access. Similarly, some countries have managed to extract natural gas from these regions.
Thanks to their geographical location, the continental shelves have two types of zones or regions whose categorization depends on the incidence of light in them. These regions are known as the euphotic zone and the aphotic zone..
For example, the photosynthetic zone or euphotic zone consists of a marine layer where there is a greater incidence of solar rays, which allows photosynthesis to take place..
On the contrary, the aphotic zone is very dark, so it does not allow photosynthesis to take place. The only source of light in these places is that caused by luminescent fish.
Both the salinity and the temperature of the platforms undergo modifications according to their proximity to the coast. This is due to the variations that can be found in the swell and sea level (tides).
As a consequence of their proximity to the coastal areas, the continental shelves tend to have an irregular soil that is composed of sand and mud, since the waves carry with it some accumulations of earth from the shores..
As mentioned in previous paragraphs, maritime platforms or terraces of this type are characterized by being located between the slope or the continental crust and the coastal areas..
This is one of the most important elements of these platforms, since it significantly influences the rest of their characteristics..
The marine surfaces of the continental shelves have an irregular relief since they have a series of small ridges and hills that are combined with shallow depressions.
Consequently, the reliefs of these platforms are comparable to the valleys that are present on the mainland..
The continental shelves have very large and striking ecosystems, made up of a great diversity of specimens. For this reason, these marine terraces are not only of great economic importance, but are also ideal for studying aquatic fauna and flora..
In Mexico, the continental shelf is quite extensive due to the geographical location of the country, since it is surrounded by water to the west and east of the entire territory. Consequently, the continental surface of the region is approximately 1,900,000 kmtwo.
In the Gulf of Mexico you can find continental areas rich in hydrocarbons and other natural resources. This has brought conflicts within territorial limitations, since other countries such as Cuba and the United States have shown interest in these maritime regions due to their economic wealth..
The Colombian continental shelf is recognized worldwide for its wide biodiversity thanks to its ideal location in the Caribbean Sea. Researchers have managed to classify up to 135 different places that make up the continental terrace, of which only about 35 are protected by State authorities..
For this reason, a series of actions have been proposed to conserve the ecosystems of this maritime area, especially those that are composed of rare (and therefore scarce) habitats..
For example, a large number of pearl oysters have been found on these Colombian marine soils, as well as several deep coral formations..
Argentina's continental shelf is one of the most extensive in Latin America due to the geographic location of this country. Legally, the maritime terrace of Argentina reaches up to 12 nautical miles, although in maritime terms its extension could be a little wider.
The fauna and flora of the Argentine platform is very varied, which is why it has been of considerable importance for the economic development of the coastal regions..
On the platforms of this country you can find several species of fish highly valued in gastronomy, such as sole, white croaker and grouper..
Regarding the extension of the Venezuelan continental shelf, it can be established that it covers about 98,500 kmtwo, although Venezuela shares some sea beds with several touristy important islands, such as Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire. For their part, the island territories have about 1,276 km2.
Like Colombia, Venezuela is world renowned for its rich biodiversity in marine ecosystems. In addition, it has several natural resources that are important in the area of the economy.
As for Peru, this Latin American country is world-renowned for its Mar de Grau, on whose platform a wide variety of specimens are developed..
Peru has a maritime region called the continental zócalo, which is part of its platform. Within this place more than 600 aquatic species have been found, composed not only of fish but also of mammals, crustaceans and mollusks.
For example, the presence of sperm whales and sperm whales has been recorded in this base. In addition, there are active oil fields on the Peruvian platform.
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