Basins and Margins

Basins and margins are key features in Earth's crust related to the formation of land and sea areas. A basin is a low-lying area, often a depression in the Earth's surface, where sediments accumulate over time, forming sedimentary rock layers. Margins are the edges of the continent, where land meets the ocean. Continental margins include the continental shelf, slope, and rise, and are crucial for resources like oil and gas. Essentially, basins are like natural basins or bowls that collect sediments, while margins are the transitional zones at the edge of continents where ocean and land interact.