The wedge of sediment forming the gentle transition from the outer (lower) edge of the continental slope to the abyssal plain; usually associated with passive margins.

• A. Abyssal Hill
• B. Continental Shelf
• C. Continental Rise
• D. Epicenter

Answer: (C)

The continental rise is formed by a thick wedge of sediment that settles at the base of the continental slope and gradually connects to the abyssal plain. This sediment comes from turbidity currents and river-delivered material, which pile up and spread out, creating a gentle incline rather than a steep drop. The rise is typical of passive margins, where tectonic activity is low, allowing sediments to accumulate over time and build a broad transition zone between the slope and the deep ocean floor. In contrast, the continental shelf is the shallower, nearshore region up to the shelf break; abyssal hills are small features on the abyssal plain; and an epicenter is a point on the Earth's surface where an earthquake originates, not a sediment feature.