The sketch of the active continental margin and a passive continental margin which shows all its parts and approximate depth. Introduction: The active continental margin and a passive continental margin are the features of the sea floor. An active continental margin is found on the leading edge of the continent where it is crashing into an oceanic plate. The passive continental margin is the transition state between oceanic and continental lithosphere. It is not a part of an active continental margin. Explanation: Pictorial representation : Fig.1 shows the sketch of an active continental margin. Fig.1: Sketch of an active continental margin. Active continental margin consists of a continental shelf, a continental slope, and an oceanic trench. It is characterized by earthquakes and a young mountain belt along with volcanoes on the land. It lacks continental rise and an abyssal plain and is associated with convergent plate boundaries. The oceanic floor has a depth of 5 kilometers while the deepest point is in an oceanic trench which is 11 kilometers deep. Pictorial representation : Fig.2 shows the sketch of the passive continental margin. Fig.2: Sketch of the passive continental margin. The passive continental margin includes a continental shelf, continental slope, continental rise, and an abyssal plain. It is a geologically quiet coast which lacks earthquakes, volcanoes, and young mountain belts. The abyssal plain is generally present at a depth of 5 kilometers. Thus, the active and passive continental margin has a continental shelf, and continental slope along with abyssal plain in passive margin and oceanic trench in active margin.

16th Edition

ISBN: 9781264118113

Author: Plummer

Publisher: MCGRAW-HILL HIGHER EDUCATION

Expert Solution & Answer

Knowledge Booster

Recommended textbooks for you