3. IN

6. 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.

7. Archipelago A group of islands.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

16. Land next to the sea; the seashore. Coast

17. A plain adjacent to a coast. Coastal Plain

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

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

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

21. 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

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

23. A hill or ridge of wind-blown sand. Dune

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

25. 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

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

27. Floodplain A plain bordering a river and subject to flooding.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

43. 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

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

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

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

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

48. 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

49. 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

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

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

52. 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

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

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

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

56. 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

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

58. A narrow channel joining two larger bodies of water. Strait

59. A lowland region saturated with water. Swamp

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

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

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

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

65. Dictionary. 2005. March 10. Geography Class of 2009 Section B1 and E. Email Interview. 23 February 2004. Image Search. 2005. March 10. Loewen, Jerry. Personal Interview. 20 January 2005. Rawlings, Rachel. Personal Interview. 15 January 2005.