extended continental shelf

An extended continental shelf refers to the portion of the continental shelf that extends beyond the typical 200 nautical miles from a country's coast. Under international law, specifically the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), countries can claim an extended shelf if they can prove that their seabed extends naturally beyond this limit. This allows nations to gain rights over the resources, like oil and gas, found there. The process involves scientific research and submission of evidence to a commission that evaluates the claims, thus emphasizing the importance of oceanic resource management and territorial rights.