Landforms and Bodies of Water

Front

A group or chain of islands in a large body of water.

Back

archipelago

Front

A ring (or partial ring) of coral that forms an island in an ocean or sea. The coral sits atop a submerged volcanic cone.

Back

atoll

Front

A body of water that is partly enclosed by land (and is usually smaller than a gulf).

Back

bay

Front

A bowl shaped area of land surrounded by a higher land.

Back

basin

Front

A pointed piece of land that sticks out into a sea, ocean, lake, or river.

Back

cape

Front

A low, watery land formed at the mouth of a river, shaped like a triangle, formed from silt, sand, and small rocks deposited by the river.

Back

delta

Front

An area that receives less than 10 inches of rain per year and where there is little to no vegetation.

Back

desert

Front

A long, narrow sea inlet that is bordered by steep cliffs.

Back

fjord

Front

A slowly moving river of ice.

Back

glacier

Front

A part of the ocean (or sea) that is partly surrounded by land (it is usually larger than a bay).

Back

gulf