Structural-geomorphological subdivision of the Western Pacific

Abstract

An analysis of structural-geomorphological schemes and geophysical data on the Western Pacific allow to suggest that the complete profile of continental margin includes: inner shelf, continental slope in the process of formation, outer shelf, depression at the outer shelf, continental slope of marginal sea, basin of marginal sea, island arc, continental slope of ocean, deep ocean trench. The description of the elements morphology is given as well as some speculation concerning the evolution of the continental margin.