Passive Continental Margin

A **passive margin** represents a connection between **lithosphere** of ocean and continent, which is not active. **Continental crust** consists of granite, while oceanic crust of basalt. They are both igneous rock, although of different composition. **Submarine canyons** are most characteristic for continental slopes, described as steep, V-shaped canyons, which may reach depth of thousands feet. Occasionally, these canyons stretches to the outer edge of the shelf. Under their influence, **turbidity currents** are created from main rivers that flow into ocean. They consist of water and sediment. When the bottom of ocean is reached, they slow down and the sediment is redistributed in a **fanlike formation**. The base of continental slope is covered by a thick layer of gently smoothing sediment from land, known as **terrestrial deposits**. They represent a link between the ocean basin and continental slope.