What term is used to describe the gradual slope leading from the edge of a continent to the deep ocean floor?

The term that describes the gradual slope leading from the edge of a continent to the deep ocean floor is the continental shelf. The continental shelf is a submerged extension of the continent and typically features shallow waters, where the sea floor slopes gently down to a point known as the continental break. Beyond this, the ocean floor drops off significantly into deeper waters. The shelf is critically important for marine ecosystems, as it often supports a rich variety of marine life due to its nutrient availability and sunlight penetration.

In contrast, other terms like submarine canyon refer to deep, steep-sided valleys cut into the seabed of the continental shelf and slope, while the continental rise is the area at the base of the continental slope where sediments accumulate, forming a more gradual incline than the continental slope. An ocean basin, on the other hand, is a much broader area that encompasses deep ocean areas, including trenches and open ocean, rather than just the transition from land to ocean. Thus, the continental shelf is the most accurate descriptor of the gradual slope transitioning from the continent into the deep ocean.