The Continental Shelf is the gently sloping undersea plain between a continent and the deep ocean. The continental shelf is an extension of the continent's landmass under the ocean.Much of the continental shelf was exposed dry land during glacial periods.During interglacial periods, like today, the shelf is submerged under relatively shallow waters.he continental shelf is an extension of the continent's landmass under the ocean. Much of the continental shelf was exposed dry land during glacial periods. During interglacial periods, like today, the shelf is submerged under relatively shallow waters.
Freebase(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition: Prima facie. Prima facie is a Latin expression meaning on its first encounter, first blush, or at first sight. The literal translation would be at first face or at first appearance, from the feminine form of primus and facies, both in the ablative case.
A prima facie case might not stand or fall on its own; if an opposing party introduces other evidence or asserts an affirmative defense it can only be reconciled with a full trial. Sometimes the introduction of prima facie evidence is informally called making a case or building a case. For example, in a trial under criminal law the prosecution has the burden of presenting prima facie evidence of each element of the crime charged against the defendant.