What is the maximum depth that a continental shelf typically reaches?

A continental shelf is typically characterized as a gently sloping, submerged extension of a continent, and it generally extends from the shoreline out to a point where the seafloor begins to drop more steeply to the ocean floor. The maximum depth of a continental shelf is usually regarded to be around 200 meters, which is the depth at which it transitions into the continental slope. This depth is significant because it marks the point where the geological and ecological characteristics of the seabed change, and it plays a critical role in understanding marine habitats, fisheries, and coastal management.

The 200-meter depth is an established definition in oceanography and is used by many organizations and conventions, such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), to define the outer limits of a nation’s jurisdiction over its continental shelf. Thus, this figure is not only a physical measurement but also critical in legal and economic terms for countries with maritime boundaries.