Identification of the Base of the Continental Slope on Sedimentary Fans

Comparative studies of the Recommendations of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf in regard to the identification of the base of the continental slope region on submarine fans arguably reveal discrepancies in the approach utilized by the Commission. The base of slope off Norway was identified on the basis of a geomorphological analysis with the support of geological and geophysical data in addition to bathymetric and morphological data. Contrariwise, in the case of Brazil it appears that the absolute values of the seafloor gradients on the slope and rise are guiding the Commission's appreciation of the base of slope region.