Erosion & Deposition Vocabulary

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Barrier Island

Back

A long, narrow island parallel to the shore composed of sand; protects the mainland from storms.

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Beach

Back

Sediments that accumulate along the sea or lake shores.

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Wave-cut Cliff

Back

A cliff with steep sides formed when waves erode a rocky shoreline.

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Floodplain

Back

A nearly flat plain along the course of a stream or river that is naturally subject to flooding; very fertile.

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Creep

Back

Extremely slow movement of material down a slope.

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Delta

Back

A landform created by the deposition of sediment at the mouth of a river, where it meets a body of water.

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Alluvial Fan

Back

A fan-shaped deposit of sediment formed where a river flows out of a mountain range onto a flatter plain.

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Headland

Back

A high, steep area of land that juts out into a body of water.

Front

Sea Arch

Back

A natural rock formation that has an arch shape, formed by wave erosion.

Front

Sea Stack

Back

A column of rock in the sea, formed by erosion of a headland.