The Arctic
Ocean is shallow relative to the other major oceans of the world. A large proportion
of the area (about 13.1 million sq. km, including marginal seas)is continental
shelf
(about 4.9 million sq. km), which makes up about 20% of the world's shelf area.
The average depth of the Arctic
ocean, including marginal seas,
is approximately 1,296 meters, with a maximum depth of about 5,220 meters. Overall,
approximately 86.5% of the Arctic
Ocean is over continental
shelves and slopes.
Sources
Moiseev, P.A. 1971
NOAA-NGDC, 1988
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