Geographical Features

Archipelago a group of many islands. Pronounced “ahr-kuh-pel-uh-goh” or “arc-i-pel-i-go”

bay part of a body of salt water that reaches into the land; usually smaller than a gulf

butte A rock formation with vertical or nearly vertical sides that is flat on top and taller than it is wide Pronounced “bee –yoot”

canyon narrow valley with steep sides; usually created by erosion

cape a curved or hooked piece of land extending into a body of water

cave a hallow space in the ground or mountain with an opening to enter.

channel a narrow deep waterway connecting two larger bodies of water; the deepest part of the waterway.

cliff A high, steep slope of rock or soil

a small bay with a restricted entrance. Cove

delta land built up by deposits of sand and silt at the mouth of some rivers

dune a pile of sand created by wind or waves (underwater dunes)

a fracture in the rocks along which there has been movement fault

fjord a narrow inlet of the sea between high banks or cliffs created by glaciers Pronounced “f-yawrd” and sometimes spelled fiord

geyser An opening in the ground that ejects hot water and steam due to volcanic activity.

a large body of slow moving ice which alters the land around it through displacement glacier

gulf part of a sea or ocean that reaches into land; usually larger than a bay.

hill a raised part of the earth’s surface with sloping sides; old mountain which because of erosion has become rounder and shorter

loess a loamy deposit formed by wind, usually yellowish and calcareous, common in the Mississippi Valley and in Europe and Asia. Pronounced “low-hes”

a land formation having a relatively flat top and steep rock walls Pronounced “mey-suh” mesa

mountain

peninsula piece of land that extends into a body of water and is surrounded on three sides by water

plain a broad, flat or gently rolling area; usually low in elevation.

plateau flat highland area with one steep face; elevated plain

strait a narrow waterway connecting two larger bodies of water.

valley

wetland land area that is saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, such that it takes on the characteristics of a distinct ecosystem.