SettingsCoastal and oceanic landforms
Abyssal fan
Abyssal Fans, also known as deep-sea fans, underwater deltas, and submarine fans, are underwater structures that look like deltas formed at the end of many large rivers, such a...
Abyssal Fans, also known as deep-sea fans, underwater deltas, and submarine fans, are underwater structures that look like deltas formed at the end of many large rivers, such a...
Abyssal hill
An abyssal hill is a small hill that rises from the floor of an abyssal plain.
An abyssal hill is a small hill that rises from the floor of an abyssal plain.
Abyssal plain
An abyssal plain is an underwater plain on the deep ocean floor, usually found at depths between 3000 and 6000 meters.
An abyssal plain is an underwater plain on the deep ocean floor, usually found at depths between 3000 and 6000 meters.
Akyatan Lagoon
Akyatan lagoon acts as a multipurpose wetland ecosystem, serving the surrounding communities by creating economy through fishing and by providing recreation.
Akyatan lagoon acts as a multipurpose wetland ecosystem, serving the surrounding communities by creating economy through fishing and by providing recreation.
Archipelagic apron
An archipelagic apron for a fan-shaped gently sloping region of sea floor found around oceanic islands, particularly in the south Pacific Ocean.
An archipelagic apron for a fan-shaped gently sloping region of sea floor found around oceanic islands, particularly in the south Pacific Ocean.
Barrier island
Barrier Islands your so hot jeramiah, a coastal landform and a type of barrier system, are relatively narrow strips of sand that parallel the mainland coast.
Barrier Islands your so hot jeramiah, a coastal landform and a type of barrier system, are relatively narrow strips of sand that parallel the mainland coast.
Bay
A bay is a large body of water connected to an ocean or sea formed by an inlet of land due to the surrounding land blocking some waves and often reducing winds.
A bay is a large body of water connected to an ocean or sea formed by an inlet of land due to the surrounding land blocking some waves and often reducing winds.
Baïne
The baïne is a geographical phenomenon unique to the Aquitaine coast of France found in the departements of Gironde and Landes.
The baïne is a geographical phenomenon unique to the Aquitaine coast of France found in the departements of Gironde and Landes.
Beach cusps
Beach cusps are shoreline formations made up of various grades of sediment in an arc pattern.
Beach cusps are shoreline formations made up of various grades of sediment in an arc pattern.
Bight (geography)
In geography, bight has two meanings.
In geography, bight has two meanings.
Black Sea undersea river
The Black Sea undersea river is a current of particularly saline water flowing through the Bosphorus Strait and along the seabed of the Black Sea.
The Black Sea undersea river is a current of particularly saline water flowing through the Bosphorus Strait and along the seabed of the Black Sea.
Blowhole (geology)
In geology, a blowhole is formed as sea caves grow landwards and upwards into vertical shafts and expose themselves towards the surface, which can result in quite spectacular blasts of water fro...
In geology, a blowhole is formed as sea caves grow landwards and upwards into vertical shafts and expose themselves towards the surface, which can result in quite spectacular blasts of water fro...
Canada Basin
The Canada Basin is a deep oceanic basin.
The Canada Basin is a deep oceanic basin.
Channel (geography)
In physical geography, a channel is the physical confine of a river, slough or ocean strait consisting of a bed and banks.
In physical geography, a channel is the physical confine of a river, slough or ocean strait consisting of a bed and banks.
Charleston Bar
Charleston Bar is a series of submerged shoals lying about eight miles southeast of Charleston, South Carolina, United States.
Charleston Bar is a series of submerged shoals lying about eight miles southeast of Charleston, South Carolina, United States.
Cliff-top dune
Cliff-top dunes, also known as perched dunes, are dunes that occur on the tops of cliffs.
Cliff-top dunes, also known as perched dunes, are dunes that occur on the tops of cliffs.
Continental shelf
The continental shelf is the extended perimete of each continent and associated coastal plain.
The continental shelf is the extended perimete of each continent and associated coastal plain.
Cuspate foreland
Cuspate forelands, or otherwise known as cuspate barriers or Nesses in Britain, are geographical features found on coastlines and lakeshores that are created primarily by long shore drift.
Cuspate forelands, or otherwise known as cuspate barriers or Nesses in Britain, are geographical features found on coastlines and lakeshores that are created primarily by long shore drift.
Estuary
An estuary is a partly enclosed coastal body of water with one or more rivers or streams flowing into it, and with a free connection to the open sea.
An estuary is a partly enclosed coastal body of water with one or more rivers or streams flowing into it, and with a free connection to the open sea.
Firth
Firth is the word in the Lowland Scots language used to denote various coastal waters in Scotland.
Firth is the word in the Lowland Scots language used to denote various coastal waters in Scotland.
Fjard
A fjard, also spelled as “fiard,” is an inlet formed by the marine submergence of formerly glaciated valleys and depressions within a rocky glaciated terrain of low relief.
A fjard, also spelled as “fiard,” is an inlet formed by the marine submergence of formerly glaciated valleys and depressions within a rocky glaciated terrain of low relief.
Fjord
Geologically, a fjord is a long, narrow inlet with steep sides or cliffs, created in a valley carved by glacial activity.
Geologically, a fjord is a long, narrow inlet with steep sides or cliffs, created in a valley carved by glacial activity.
Headland
A headland is a point of land, usually high and often with a sheer drop, that extends out into a body of water.
A headland is a point of land, usually high and often with a sheer drop, that extends out into a body of water.
Inlet
An inlet is a narrow body of water between islands or leading inland from a larger body of water, often leading to an enclosed body of water, such as a sound, bay, lagoon or marsh.
An inlet is a narrow body of water between islands or leading inland from a larger body of water, often leading to an enclosed body of water, such as a sound, bay, lagoon or marsh.
Island arc
An island arc is a type of archipelago composed of a chain of volcanoes which alignment is arc-shaped, and which are situated parallel and close to a boundary between two converging tectonic plates.
An island arc is a type of archipelago composed of a chain of volcanoes which alignment is arc-shaped, and which are situated parallel and close to a boundary between two converging tectonic plates.
Isthmus
An isthmus is a narrow strip of land connecting two larger land areas usually with waterforms on either side.
An isthmus is a narrow strip of land connecting two larger land areas usually with waterforms on either side.
Machair
Machairs largely owe their fertility to the fact their sand has a high seashell content- sometimes as high as 90%.
Machairs largely owe their fertility to the fact their sand has a high seashell content- sometimes as high as 90%.
Marine terrace
A marine terrace, coastal terrace, raised beach or perched coastline is a relatively flat, horizontal or gently inclined surface of marine origin, mostly an old abrasion platfo...
A marine terrace, coastal terrace, raised beach or perched coastline is a relatively flat, horizontal or gently inclined surface of marine origin, mostly an old abrasion platfo...
Mid-ocean ridge
A mid-ocean ridge is a general term for an underwater mountain system that consists of various mountain ranges (chains), typically having a valley known as a rift running along its spine, for...
A mid-ocean ridge is a general term for an underwater mountain system that consists of various mountain ranges (chains), typically having a valley known as a rift running along its spine, for...
Natural arch
A natural arch is a natural geological formation where a rock arch forms, with an opening underneath.
A natural arch is a natural geological formation where a rock arch forms, with an opening underneath.
Ocean
An ocean (; the World Ocean of classical antiquity) is a body of saline water that composes a large part of a planet's hydrosphere.
An ocean (; the World Ocean of classical antiquity) is a body of saline water that composes a large part of a planet's hydrosphere.
Oceanic basin
Hydrologically, an oceanic basin may be anywhere on Earth that is covered by seawater, but geologically ocean basins are large geologic basins that are below sea level.
Hydrologically, an oceanic basin may be anywhere on Earth that is covered by seawater, but geologically ocean basins are large geologic basins that are below sea level.
Oceanic plateau
An oceanic plateau (also submarine plateau) is a large, relatively flat submarine region that rises well above the level of the ambient seabed.
An oceanic plateau (also submarine plateau) is a large, relatively flat submarine region that rises well above the level of the ambient seabed.
Oceanic trench
The oceanic trenches are hemispheric-scale long but narrow topographic depressions of the sea floor.
The oceanic trenches are hemispheric-scale long but narrow topographic depressions of the sea floor.
Perched coastline
A perched coastline is a fossil coastline currently above the present coastline.
A perched coastline is a fossil coastline currently above the present coastline.
Presque-isle
Presque-isle (from the French presqu'île, meaning almost an island) is a geographical term denoting a piece of land which is closer to being an island than most peninsulas because of its...
Presque-isle (from the French presqu'île, meaning almost an island) is a geographical term denoting a piece of land which is closer to being an island than most peninsulas because of its...
Pseudo-atoll
A pseudo-atoll, like an atoll, is an island of coral that encircles a lagoon partially or completely.
A pseudo-atoll, like an atoll, is an island of coral that encircles a lagoon partially or completely.
Raised coral atoll
A raised coral atoll is a typical atoll which has been lifted high enough above sea level by tectonic forces to protect it from scouring by storms, and enable soils and diverse, often endemic, s...
A raised coral atoll is a typical atoll which has been lifted high enough above sea level by tectonic forces to protect it from scouring by storms, and enable soils and diverse, often endemic, s...
Raised shorelines
A raised shoreline is an ancient shoreline exposed above current water level.
A raised shoreline is an ancient shoreline exposed above current water level.
Redbird Reef
Redbird Reef is an artificial reef located in the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of Slaughter Beach, Delaware, 16 miles east of the Indian River Inlet.
Redbird Reef is an artificial reef located in the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of Slaughter Beach, Delaware, 16 miles east of the Indian River Inlet.
Reef
In nautical terminology, a reef is a rock, sandbar, or other feature lying beneath the surface of the water.
In nautical terminology, a reef is a rock, sandbar, or other feature lying beneath the surface of the water.
Salt pannes and pools
Salt pannes and pools are water retaining depressions located within salt and brackish marshes.
Salt pannes and pools are water retaining depressions located within salt and brackish marshes.
Scotian Shelf
The Scotian Shelf is a geological formation, part of the Continental shelf, located mainly off the coast of Nova Scotia, Canada.
The Scotian Shelf is a geological formation, part of the Continental shelf, located mainly off the coast of Nova Scotia, Canada.
Sea
A sea generally refers to a large body of salt water, but the term is used in other contexts as well.
A sea generally refers to a large body of salt water, but the term is used in other contexts as well.
Sea cave
A sea cave, also known as a littoral cave, is a type of cave formed primarily by the wave action of the sea.
A sea cave, also known as a littoral cave, is a type of cave formed primarily by the wave action of the sea.
Shark River Reef
Shark River Reef is an artificial reef located in the Atlantic Ocean, 15.6 miles southeast of Manasquan Inlet, off the coast of Ocean County, New Jersey.
Shark River Reef is an artificial reef located in the Atlantic Ocean, 15.6 miles southeast of Manasquan Inlet, off the coast of Ocean County, New Jersey.
Shoal
A shoal, sandbar, sandbank or gravelbar is a somewhat linear landform within or extending into a body of water, typically composed of sand, silt or small pebbles.
A shoal, sandbar, sandbank or gravelbar is a somewhat linear landform within or extending into a body of water, typically composed of sand, silt or small pebbles.
Sound (geography)
In geography a sound or seaway is a large sea or ocean inlet larger than a bay, deeper than a bight, and wider than a fjord; or it may be defined as a narrow sea or ocean channel between t...
In geography a sound or seaway is a large sea or ocean inlet larger than a bay, deeper than a bight, and wider than a fjord; or it may be defined as a narrow sea or ocean channel between t...
Stack (geology)
A stack is a geological landform consisting of a steep and often vertical column or columns of rock in the sea near a coast, isolated by erosion.
A stack is a geological landform consisting of a steep and often vertical column or columns of rock in the sea near a coast, isolated by erosion.
Strait
A strait or straits is a narrow, navigable channel of water that connects two larger navigable bodies of water.
A strait or straits is a narrow, navigable channel of water that connects two larger navigable bodies of water.
Tied island
Tied islands, or land-tied islands, as they are often known, are a landform where the island is only connected to land by a tombolo—a spit of beach materials connected to land at both ends.
Tied islands, or land-tied islands, as they are often known, are a landform where the island is only connected to land by a tombolo—a spit of beach materials connected to land at both ends.
Tombolo
A tombolo, from the Italian tombolo, derived from the Latin tumulus, meaning 'mound,' and sometimes translated as ayre (Old Norse eyrr, meaning 'gravel beach'), is a deposition...
A tombolo, from the Italian tombolo, derived from the Latin tumulus, meaning 'mound,' and sometimes translated as ayre (Old Norse eyrr, meaning 'gravel beach'), is a deposition...
Wave-cut platform
A wave-cut platform, is the narrow flat area often found at the base of a sea cliff or along the shoreline of a lake, bay, or sea that was created by the action of waves.
A wave-cut platform, is the narrow flat area often found at the base of a sea cliff or along the shoreline of a lake, bay, or sea that was created by the action of waves.
Zavratnica
Zavratnica is a 900 m long narrow inlet located at the foot of the mighty Velebit Mountains, in the northern part of the Adriatic sea, 1 km south of Jablanac, Croatia.
Zavratnica is a 900 m long narrow inlet located at the foot of the mighty Velebit Mountains, in the northern part of the Adriatic sea, 1 km south of Jablanac, Croatia.