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.
Lat. At first sight; on the first appearance; on the face of it; so far as can be judged from the first disclosure; presumably. A litigating party is said to have a prima facie case when the evidence in his favor is sufficiently strong for his opponent to be called on to answer it. A prima facie case, then, is one which is established by sufficient evidence, and can be overthrown only by rebutting evidence adduced on the other side.