What is the Difference Between the Continental Shelf and the Deep Ocean?

The continental shelf is an extension of the land along the coast of the mainland under the sea to the ocean. It can be said that it is a continent covered by seawater. In the past glacial period, due to the decline of sea level, the continental shelf often exposed to the surface of the sea and became a land bridge. During the interglacial period (the glaciers receded, as now), they were submerged by rising seawater and became shallow.

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The continental shelf is the result of crustal movement or wave washing. The lifting movement of the earth's crust sinks the land and is submerged under water, forming a continental shelf;

On the bottom of many shallow seas, winding river valleys can be found. Interestingly, they often correspond to land valleys. It is obvious like the North American Hudson underwater river valley. It extends southeast to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. The top is a shallow flat semicircle, which gradually deepens "downstream". The deepest point is 100 meters below the sea surface. The depth of the ocean floor is only 40 meters. The downstream exit of the Hudson's underwater valley is spread out in a triangle, like the wide estuary of a river entering the sea. In Southeast Asia, Sumatra is associated with

For most coastal countries,

Continental shelf refers to the seabed and subsoil of the seabed area in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The continental shelf sea area is rich in aquatic resources, and the seabed is rich in oil, natural gas, and other mineral resources. These natural resources belong to coastal countries.

In accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Continental Shelf (Done on April 29, 1958

The continental shelf (up to the continental edge) contains oil, gas and other mineral resources. About 20% of world oil production comes from the continental shelf. The waters on the continental shelf are also the places with the most abundant marine life resources. 90% of the world's catch comes from the waters above the continental shelf. The state's claim to exercise sovereignty over the continental shelf is a new development of international law after the Second World War. This development has made the term "continental shelf" not only geographically meaningful, but also legally meaningful. The concept of the legal continental shelf is constantly changing and is increasingly different from the geographical continental shelf concept. The United States first asserted jurisdiction over the continental shelf. In 1945, US President HS Truman Presidential Announcement No. 2668 declared: "The natural resources of the subsoil and seabed of the continental shelf below the high seas but adjacent to the United States coast belong to the United States and are subject to the jurisdiction and control of the United States." Subsequently, many countries published similar Statement on the continental shelf. In 1958, the "Continental Shelf Convention" adopted at the 1st United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea in Geneva defined the continental shelf as follows: "The seabed and subsoil of the seafloor area adjacent to the coast but outside the territorial waters shall not exceed 200 Meters, or even beyond this limit, and the depth of its Shanghai water still makes it possible to develop natural resources in the region. "Accordingly, 200 meters

The principle of fairness in the delimitation of the continental shelf is a principle applicable to maritime delimitation that is generally recognized by international conventions and the international community and is part of customary international law. The term "fairness" used in maritime delimitation means that the results obtained and the methods used to obtain such results are fair, taking into account fairness in all circumstances. The principles and methods of demarcation such as natural extension, equidistance, middle line, and proportionality are all applied in accordance with specific conditions on the premise of conforming to the principle of fairness.

The following are the main factors determining the principle of equity in the delimitation of the continental shelf:

(1) The natural extension of the land territory of the coastal State to the seabed is the first factor to be considered when determining the principle of equity

(B) Proportion of the length of the coastline between countries, which is an important factor in determining the fair division of the continental shelf

(3) The existence of specific geological and geomorphic factors. Is another important factor that determines the fair division of the continental shelf

(4) The existence of the island is also a factor in the delimitation of the continental shelf

Regarding the division of the continental shelf between adjacent or opposing countries, there were two opposing opinions at the 3rd United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea:

It is considered that the dividing line should be based on the middle line or equal distance.

believe that the principle of fairness should be followed. One of the most fundamental principles of international law in delimitation is the principle of natural extension. The International Court of Justice's 1969 Judgment on the "Continental Shelf Case" in which Germany is a party and the Netherlands and Denmark are the other side emphasizes this principle, as well as the principle of equity. The judgment states: "The division should be conducted in accordance with the principle of fairness, by agreement, and taking into account all relevant circumstances. The natural extension of the territorial territories of other parties. "The decision also stated that delimitation by equidistance lines is not mandatory and there is no single method of delimitation.

In order to specify the principle of fairness, the court held that the delimitation should take into account the following factors:

The general shape of the coast of the country concerned, and any special or unusual circumstances.

The location of natural structures, geological structures and natural resources in the continental shelf area.

There should be a reasonable proportional relationship between the area of the continental shelf area assigned to a coastal country and the length of the country's coast according to the approximate travel vector of the ocean. The "special or unusual circumstances" of the coast are often related to islands near the coast. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea provides that "reefs that cannot sustain human habitation or their own economic life shall not have an exclusive economic zone continental shelf" (Article 121). So when delimiting the continental shelf, what role islands and reefs play is sometimes important. In international practice, when dividing the continental shelf, some do not recognize the role of some islands and reefs, and some recognize its role. It is fair to adopt the principle of fairness to divide the continental shelf, but many factors need to be considered, and the situation is more complicated.

The 1958 Convention on the Continental Shelf prefers the middle-line principle or the equidistance line principle. The convention stipulates that the borders of the coast-facing countries' continental shelf should be "determined by the countries concerned. If there is no agreement, except for special circumstances, a separate line should be established. Each point should be at a distance from the nearest point on the baseline where the territorial sea width of each country is measured The central line of equality is the boundary. " Although this rule is used to support the middle line

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Their arguments, but the convention has been ratified by only forty countries. The judgment of the International Court of Justice in 1969 was made after the entry into force of the Convention, which shows that the rules of the middle line have not been universally recognized internationally.

Article 3 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, formulated by the 3rd Conference on the Law of the Sea, with the stalemate between the centrist and the principle of fairness, stipulates that: "The limits of the continental shelf between opposite or adjacent coasts shall be regulated by the International Court of Justice. Article 38 defines international law by agreement in order to obtain a fair settlement. "Article 83 does not actually resolve the opposition between the two viewpoints. How this provision should be interpreted remains to be concluded by future practice.