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.
An example of a prima facie duty is the duty to keep promises. Unless stronger moral considerations override, one ought to keep a promise made. By contrast with prima facie duties, our actual or concrete duty is the duty we should perform in the particular situation of choice. Whatever one's actual duty is, one is morally bound to perform it. Prima facie duties relate to actual duties as reasons do to conclusions of reasoning. Note: The term duty in prima facie duty is slightly misleading. The prima facie duties are understood as guidelines, not rules without exception. If an action does not correspond to a specific guideline, one is not necessarily violating a rule that one ought to follow.