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Earth is made up of many different features that make it unique. In the following slides you will see many of Earth’s unique Physical Features. Each of earth’s physical features are created by one of three processes: internal forces, build up of eroded materials, or erosion of existing features.

Archipelago A group of islands.

A ringlike coral island and reef that nearly or entirely encloses a lagoon. Atoll

An artificially enclosed area of a river or harbor designed so that the water level remains unaffected by tidal changes. Basin

A body of water partially enclosed by land but with a wide mouth, affording access to the sea. Bay

The shore of a body of water, especially when sandy or pebbly. Beach

A narrow chasm with steep cliff walls, cut into the earth by running water; a gorge. Canyon

A point or head of land projecting into a body of water. Cape

A hollow or natural passage under or into the earth, especially one with an opening to the surface. Cave

A high, steep, or overhanging face of rock. Cliff

Land next to the sea; the seashore. Coast

A plain adjacent to a coast. Coastal Plain

One of the principal land masses of the earth, usually regarded as including Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America. Continent

An extensive stretch of high ground from each side of which the river systems of a continent flow in opposite directions. Continental Divide

A submerged border of a continent that slopes gradually and extends to a point of steeper descent to the ocean bottom. Continental Shelf

An erosion-resistant marine ridge or mound consisting chiefly of compacted coral together with algal material and biochemically deposited magnesium and calcium carbonates. Coral Reef

A similar deposit at the mouth of a tidal inlet, caused by tidal currents. Delta

A hill or ridge of wind-blown sand. Dune

A steep slope or long cliff that results from erosion or faulting and separates two relatively level areas of differing elevations. Escarpment

A fracture in the continuity of a rock formation caused by a shifting or dislodging of the earth's crust, in which adjacent surfaces are displaced relative to one another and parallel to the plane of fracture. Fault

A long, narrow, deep inlet of the sea between steep slopes. Fjord

Floodplain A plain bordering a river and subject to flooding.

A deep narrow passage with steep rocky sides; a ravine. Gorge

A large area of a sea or ocean partially enclosed by land, especially a long landlocked portion of sea opening through a strait. Gulf

A well-defined natural elevation smaller than a mountain. Hill

Ice Sheet Layer of ice covering extensive regions of the world, notably Antarctica and Greenland.

A land mass, especially one smaller than a continent, entirely surrounded by water. Island

A narrow strip of land connecting two larger masses of land. Isthmus

A small, low island composed largely of coral or sand. Key (Cay)

A broad, flat-topped elevation with one or more clifflike sides, common in the southwest United States. Mesa

An accumulation of boulders, stones, or other debris carried and deposited by a glacier. Moraine

A series of mountain ridges alike in form, direction, and origin. Mountain Range

Pass A break in a mountain range or other high obstruction, used for transportation from one side to the other.

An area of land formed or lying at the foot of a mountain or mountain range. Piedmont

A piece of land that projects into a body of water and is connected with the mainland by an isthmus. Peninsula

An extensive, level, usually treeless area of land. Plain

An elevated, comparatively level expanse of land; a tableland. Plateau

A natural depression in a land surface communicating with a subterranean passage, generally occurring in limestone regions and formed by solution or by collapse of a cavern roof. Sinkhole

An elongated lowland between ranges of mountains, hills, or other uplands, often having a river or stream running along the bottom. Valley

An opening in the earth's crust through which molten lava, ash, and gases are ejected. Volcano

An artificial waterway or artificially improved river used for travel, shipping, or irrigation. Canal

The part of the wide lower course of a river where its current is met by the tides. Estuary

A huge mass of ice slowly flowing over a land mass, formed from compacted snow in an area where snow accumulation exceeds melting and sublimation. Glacier

A massive floating body of ice broken away from a glacier. Only about 10 percent of its mass is above the surface of the water. Ice Berg

A shallow body of water, especially one separated from a sea by sandbars or coral reefs. Lagoon

A large inland body of fresh water or salt water. Lake

A natural opening, as the part of a stream or river that empties into a larger body of water or the entrance to a harbor, canyon, valley, or cave. Mouth

A fertile or green spot in a desert or wasteland, made so by the presence of water. Oasis

The entire body of salt water that covers more than 70 percent of the earth's surface. Ocean

An extremely fast-moving part of a river, caused by a steep descent in the riverbed. Rapids

A large natural stream of water emptying into an ocean, lake, or other body of water and usually fed along its course by converging tributaries. River

The continuous body of salt water covering most of the earth's surface. Sea

A narrow channel joining two larger bodies of water. Strait

A lowland region saturated with water. Swamp

A long, steep-sided valley on the ocean floor. Trench

A stream that flows into a larger stream or other body of water. Tributary

A steep descent of water from a height; a cascade. Waterfall

A lowland area, such as a marsh or swamp, that is saturated with moisture, especially when regarded as the natural habitat of wildlife. Wetlands

Dictionary March 10. Geography Class of 2009 Section B1 and E. Interview. 23 February Image Search March 10. Loewen, Jerry. Personal Interview. 20 January Rawlings, Rachel. Personal Interview. 15 January 2005.