What is the underwater part of a continent called?

The underwater part of a continent is referred to as the continental shelf. This term describes the submerged edges of continents that are relatively shallow compared to the deeper oceanic zones. The continental shelf extends from the coastline to the continental slope, where the sea floor begins to steeply drop off.

Understanding the significance of the continental shelf is critical, as it serves as a vital ecological zone where various marine life thrives due to the abundance of nutrients. This zone is also significant for human activities such as fishing, oil and gas exploration, and other resource extraction endeavors.

In contrast, the abyssal plain refers to the deep ocean floor, while the continental slope is the transition zone between the shelf and deeper ocean. The intertidal zone is the area that is exposed to air at low tide and submerged at high tide, lying between the shoreline and the area further out in the ocean. Each of these terms describes different marine environments distinct from the continental shelf.