relict sediment Sediments of the continental shelf deposited by processes no longer active in the area where the sediments now occur. Relict sediments are remnants from an earlier environment and are now in disequilibrium. Approximately 50% of the present continental shelves are covered by relict sediments deposited during the period of lower sea levels in the Pleistocene.

relict sediment A sediment lying on the continental shelf which was deposited by processes no longer active in the area where the sediment now occurs. Relict sediments are remnants from an earlier environment and are now in disequilibrium. Approximately 50 per cent of the present continental shelves are covered by relict sediments deposited during the period of lower sea levels in the Pleistocene.