Landform Dictionary By: Manuel Quesada Nylen

Mountain Ranges A mountain range is a single, large mass consisting of a succession of mountains or narrowly spaced mountain ridges, with or without peaks, closely related in position, direction, formation, and age; a component part of a mountain system or of a mountain chain.

Glacier A glacier is a large persistent body of ice that forms where the accumulation of snow exceeds its ablation (melting and sublimation) over many years, often centuries.

Valley In geology, a valley or dale is a depression with predominant extent in one direction. A very deep river valley may be called a canyon or gorge.

Hill A hill is a landform that extends above the surrounding terrain. Hills often have a distinct summit, although in areas with scarp/dip topography a hill may refer to a particular section of flat terrain without a massive summit.

Plateau In geology and earth science, a plateau also called a high plain or tableland, is an area of highland, usually consisting of relatively flat terrain.geologyearth sciencehighlandterrain

Tributary A tributary or affluent is a stream or river that flows into a main stem (or parent) river or a lake. [2] A tributary does not flow directly into a sea or ocean. Tributaries and the main stem river serve to drain the surrounding drainage basin of its surface water and groundwater by leading the water out into an ocean or sea.streamrivermain stem [2]drainage basingroundwater

Lake A lake is a body of relatively still fresh or salt water of considerable size, localized in a basin, that is surrounded by land. Lakes are inland and not part of the ocean and therefore are distinct from lagoons, and are larger and deeper than ponds.waterbasin ocean lagoonsponds

Harbor A harbor is a place where ships, boats, and barges can seek shelter from stormy weather, or else are stored for future use. Harbors can be natural or artificial.shipsboats bargesstormyweather

Bay A bay is an area of water mostly surrounded by land. water

Cape A cape landform is a part of the continent that is sticking out but, it is surrounded by water.

Reef In nautical terminology, a reef is a rock, sandbar, or other feature lying beneath the surface of the water.

Cliffs In geography and geology, a cliff is a significant vertical, or near vertical, rock exposure.geography geology

Fiord Geologically, a fjordis a long, narrow inlet with steep sides or cliffs, created in a valley carved by glacial activity.

Sea A sea generally refers to a large body of salt water, but the term is used in other contexts as well.body

Plain In geography, a plain is land with relatively low relief, that is flat or gently rolling.

Delta A landform at the mouth of a river.

Peninsula A peninsula is a piece of land that is bordered by water on three sides but connected to mainland.

Island An island is any piece of sub-continental land that is surrounded by water.sub-continental water

Strait A strait or straits is a narrow, navigable channel of water that connects two larger navigable bodies of water.navigable channel of water

Archipelago An archipelago, sometimes called an island group, is a chain or cluster of islands. islands

Basin A hollow or depression in Earth's surface with no outlet for water.

Mouth The end of a river where it opens up into the a sea or ocean.

Source A source is the beginning of a river.

Dune A dune is a hill or a ridge made of sand.

Isthmus An isthmus is a narrow strip of land connecting two larger landmasses.

Gulf A large bay that is an arm of an ocean or sea.

Desert A desert is a landscape or region that receives an extremely low amount of precipitation, less than enough to support growth of most plants.

Oasis An oasis is a small body of water you can find in the desert, but on rare occasions.

Mesa A flat-topped mountain or hill.

Volcano A volcano is an opening, or rupture, in a planet's surface or crust, which allows hot magma, volcanic ash and gases to escape from below the surface.