Formed by sedimentary materials

What are the characteristics of an alluvial like rocks, gravel, and silt.
fan? Occurs when water flow from a river
or stream decreases or stops.

Altitude refers to the height above

What defines an altitude in geographical sea level.
terms? It is a crucial factor in climate and
vegetation types.

A flowing part of a river that is

separated by an island.
What is an anabranch in river systems?
It eventually rejoins the main river
downstream.

A group of many islands clustered

together.
What is an archipelago?
Can vary in size and number of
islands.

Sharp ridges of rocks found on

mountain tops.
What is an arête in mountainous regions?
Typically formed by the action of
melting glaciers.
 A chain of seamounts located under
the ocean.
What is an aseismic ridge?
Created by a hotspot beneath the
Earth’s crust.

A creek that may be dry at times

due to lack of water.
What is an arroyo and its characteristics?
Often found in areas without a
constant rain source.

Barren and eroded land shaped by

water and wind.
What are the features of badlands?
Characterized by rugged terrain and
minimal vegetation.

A crescent-shaped sand dune that

faces the wind.
What defines a barchan sand dune?
Its shape is formed by consistent
wind blowing in one direction.

Protects the nearby mainland coast

from erosion.
What is the purpose of a barrier island?
Usually located in oceanic areas,
forming a natural barrier.
 An area of land largely enclosed by
higher land.
What is a basin in geographical terms?
Can be significant for water drainage
and ecosystems.

A part of saltwater that extends into

What is a bay and how does it differ from a the land.
gulf? Generally smaller than a gulf in size
and scope.

A slow-moving body of water in low-

lying areas.
What characterizes a bayou?
Often associated with swamps or
marshlands along the coast.

A sloping shoreline made up of sand,

gravel, or soil.
What defines a beach?
Serves as a transition zone between
land and water.

Beach formations that appear in an

arc shape.
What are beach cusps?
Each end features a cusp or point,
creating a unique pattern.
 Elevated formations of sand or
beach material.
What is a beach ridge?
Runs parallel to the shoreline, often
formed by wave action.

A curve in the land similar to a bay.

What is a bight in geographical terms? Less pronounced than a typical bay,
creating a gentle indentation.

A steep cliff overlooking a body of

water or plain.
What is a bluff?
Often provides scenic views and
unique ecosystems.

A rock formation with steep or

vertical sides.
What is a bornhardt rock formation?
Typically has a round or dome-
shaped top with little vegetation.

A river or stream that flows into a

larger river or stream.
What is a tributary?
Contributes to the water flow and
ecosystem of the main river.
 A hole connected to a cave that
releases water under pressure.
What is a blowhole and how does it form?
Formed by waves, currents, or wind
building up pressure.

A depression caused by wind erosion

of sand or topsoil.
What is a blowout in terms of land formation?
Results in a significant loss of
vegetation in the area.

A river with three or more channels

that interweave.
What characterizes a braided river?
These channels often converge and
drain into the same body of water.

A rock formation with vertical or

nearly vertical sides.
What is a butte and how is it characterized?
It is flat on top and taller than it is
wide.

A man-made waterway connecting

two bodies of water.
What defines a canal and its purpose?
Designed to shorten travel time or
irrigate land.
 A narrow valley with steep
sides.
What are the main features of a canyon?
Usually created by erosion
over time.

A curved or hooked piece

What is a cape and how does it extend into of land.
water? It extends into a body of
water.

A hollow space in the ground or

mountain.
What is a cave and how is it formed?
It has an opening that allows
entry.

A collapsed area, usually

What is a cenote and what is its typical limestone.
formation? It often has exposed water
within it.

A narrow deep waterway connecting

What is a channel and what is its two larger bodies of water.
significance? It represents the deepest part of the
waterway.
 The pattern of weather conditions
over a long period.
How is climate defined in geographical terms?
Includes factors like temperature
and precipitation.

A high, steep slope of rock or soil.

What characterizes a cliff in geographical
Often found along coastlines or
terms?
mountainous areas.

Land that is adjacent to the sea

or ocean.
What is the definition of a coast?
It often features beaches, cliffs,
or dunes.

Where two or more bodies of

What is a confluence in the context of water
water meet.
bodies?
Their waters mix at this junction.

One of the seven largest bodies of

land on Earth.
What is a continent and how many are there?
Includes landmasses like Africa,
Asia, and North America.
 A plateau of land surface that
extends underwater from a
What is a continental shelf? continent.
It is typically shallow compared to
the ocean floor.

A small bay with a restricted

entrance.
What defines a cove in geographical terms?
Often provides shelter for boats and
marine life.

A lake that fills a crater or caldera.

What is Crater Lake and how is it formed? Caused by a volcanic eruption or
meteor impact.

A large crack in a glacier.

What is a crevasse and where is it typically
It can be seen from the surface of
found?
the glacier.

A triangular extension of land from

the coast.
What is a cuspate foreland?
It is formed by the accumulation of
sediment.
 A gentle ground slope that features
a cliff.
What is a cuesta and how is it characterized?
Typically formed by erosion of softer
rock layers.

The flow of a stream of water.

What is a current in the context of water
Can be influenced by wind, gravity,
bodies?
and tides.

A wall built across a stream or river.

What is the purpose of a dam? It holds back water to create
reservoirs or control flooding.

A small valley that is typically

wooded.
What defines a dell in geographical terms?
Often features a gentle slope and a
serene environment.

Land built up by deposits of sand

and silt.
What is a delta and how is it formed? Occurs at the mouth of some rivers
where they meet larger bodies of
water.
 A dome-shaped deposit of
dirt.
What is a dirt cone and how does it form?
Caused by the movement of
glaciers.

A dry, barren region usually sandy

and without trees.
What characterizes a desert?
Receives little rainfall and has
limited agricultural use.

The highest ridge of land separating

river basins.
What is a divide in geographical terms?
It determines the direction of water
flow in the area.

An oval or round land formation.

What is a dome in geographical terms? It is elevated compared to the
surrounding areas.

The direction of a river’s flow.

What does downstream refer to in river
Toward the mouth of the river where
terminology?
it meets another body of water.
 All the water in a river exiting at a
specific point.
What is a drainage basin?
Usually flows into another water
system like an ocean or lake.

A lake that is dry all year or most of

the year.
What is a dry lake?
Typically has a dry layer of mud or
salt.

A pile of sand created by wind or

waves.
What is a dune and how is it formed?
Can also refer to underwater sand
formations.

A group of sand dunes typically

found in a desert.
What is an erg in geographical terms?
Characterized by large expanses of
shifting sand.

Where a river runs into the ocean or

saltwater.
What is an estuary and its significance?
It serves as a crucial habitat for
various species.
 The edge of a cliff with a steep
slope.
What is an escarpment?
Often marks a significant change in
elevation.

A fracture in the rocks along which

there has been movement.
What is a fault in geological terms?
Can lead to earthquakes and other
geological activity.

A narrow inlet of the sea between

What is a fjord and how is it formed? high banks or cliffs.
Created by glacial activity over time.

A floodplain or former floodplain

What are flats or flat areas in geographical with a flat ground surface.
terms? Often fertile and suitable for
agriculture.

A flat area of land surrounding a

river.
What are the characteristics of a floodplain?
It floods when the river's water
level rises.
 A large tract of land covered with
trees.
What defines a forest?
Includes underbrush and extensive
wooded areas.

The point where a stream or

What is a fork in a river? tributary joins a river.
It can create a split in the water flow.

A narrow inlet in a cliff.

What is a geo? Typically formed by waves or
glaciers.

An opening in the ground that ejects

hot water and steam.
What is a geyser?
Caused by volcanic activity beneath
the surface.

A large body of slow-moving ice.

What is a glacier? It alters the land around it through
displacement.
 Caves located at the bottom of
a glacier.
What are glacier caves?
Formed by melting ice and
water flow.

A long and deep valley with

What is a glen? steep sides.
Similar to a dale or valley.

A channel cut into the hillside or

What is a gully? mountainside.
Often formed by water erosion.

A part of a sea or ocean that

What defines a gulf? extends into land.
Generally larger than a bay.

A deep valley with steep rocks on

What is a gorge? each side.
Also known as a valley or canyon.
 A ground depression located
What is a graben? between two faults.
Often formed by tectonic activity.

A flat-topped seamount that has or

What is a guyot? had volcanic activity.
Typically found underwater.

A valley that is situated above

another valley.
What is a hanging valley?
Usually separated by a cliff or steep
terrain.

A sheltered area of water for ships to

anchor safely.
What is a harbor?
Provides protection from rough
waters.

A large area of land that extends

What is a headland? into a body of water.
Often characterized by steep cliffs.
 Half of the Earth, either eastern or
western; northern or southern.
What is a hemisphere?
Used in geographical and
navigational contexts.

An area characterized by hills,

plateaus, and mountains.
What defines a highland?
Often has a higher elevation than
surrounding areas.

A raised part of the Earth's surface

with sloping sides.
What is a hill?
Typically smaller than a mountain
and rounded due to erosion.

An exposed rock range formed by

erosion.
What is a hogback?
Often has a steep, ridge-like
appearance.

An irregularly shaped rock formation

that is tall and pillar-like.
What is a hoodoo?
Often formed through erosion
processes.
 A large mass of floating ice that has
broken off from a glacier.
What is an iceberg?
Most of its volume is submerged
underwater.

A small part of a body of water that

reaches into a coast.
What is an inlet?
Can provide access to harbors or
bays.

An area of land completely

What defines an island? surrounded by water.
Can vary in size from small to large.

A small island, usually rocky and

What is an islet? uninhabitable.
Typically has little vegetation.

A narrow strip of land with water on

What is an isthmus? both sides.
Connects two larger land masses.
 A landscape shaped through erosion
of soluble rocks.
What is karst?
Often features caves, sinkholes, and
underground rivers.

A large body of water surrounded

What defines a lake? by land.
Can be freshwater or saltwater.

Imaginary lines on a globe or map

measuring distance from the
What is latitude? equator.
Run parallel to the equator, east and
west.

A rise in the ground or volcano

formed by lava pushing through
What is a lava dome? vents.
Can create a dome-like structure on
the surface.

An area of land covered by lava

flow.
What is a lava field?
Can be formed after a volcanic
eruption.
 Molten lava that collects in a
crater or vent.
What is a lava lake?
Can be a sign of ongoing volcanic
activity.

Lava Spine: vertical flowing lava that

grows in a sharp tower shape.
What are some geological features associated Mud Volcano: geothermal heated
with volcanic activity? mud that bubbles like lava.
Pit Crater: a hole with steep sides
caused by volcanic activity.

Mountain: high, rocky land with

steep sides, higher than a hill.
What are the characteristics of different types Plateau: flat highland area with one
of landforms? steep face.
Mesa: a land formation with a flat
top and steep rock walls.

Pond: a small body of water

surrounded by land.
What are some types of water bodies and Oxbow Lake: a former meander of a
their features? river that has become a curved lake.
Plunge Pool: a deep area of water
under a waterfall.

Meander: a major bend in a river or

stream.
What are some terms related to river Mouth (of a river): where a river
geography? empties into a larger body of water.
Pothole: a hole in rock created by a
river's flowing water.
 Lowland: an area of low and usually
level land.
What are some features of lowland and Marsh: a wetland with grasses and
wetland areas? little or no trees.
Prairie: a large plains region with tall
grass.

Moraine: deposits of rock and

sediment left from a glacier.
What are some geological formations related Nunatak: rocks that emerge from a
to glaciers? glacier.
Proglacial Lake: a freshwater lake
that forms behind a glacier.

Ocean: the largest body of salt water

covering 3/4 of the earth’s surface.
Oceanic Basin: all the land in each
What are some features of oceanic
specific ocean.
geography?
Mid-Ocean Range: underwater
tectonic plates creating mountain
ranges.

Oasis: a fertile place in the desert

with water and vegetation.
Pit Crater: a steep-sided hole caused
What are some unique landforms found in
by volcanic activity.
desert regions?
Natural Arch: a rock formation that
resembles a bridge, formed by
erosion.

Peninsula: land extending into

water, surrounded on three sides.
What are some characteristics of coastal Port: a man-made place for loading
geography? and unloading ships.
Marsh: a wetland area often found
near coastlines.
 Mountain Range: a long chain of
connected mountains.
Mountain Pass: the highest point in a
What are some features of mountain
mountain range that is passable.
geography?
Pyramidal Peak: where two or more
arêtes meet to form a pyramid
shape.

An area of land above the

What are the characteristics of a raised shore.
beach? Higher than the high tide
level.

A part of a river that is generally

shallow.
What defines a rapid in a river?
Currents move swiftly over
rocks.

A smaller form of a
What is a ravine and how does it differ from a valley.
valley? Characterized by steep
sides.

A ridge of rock or sand.

What is a reef and where is it typically found? Located at or near the surface of
the water.
 A lake where water is
collected.
What is the purpose of a reservoir?
Stores water for future
use.

A valley that flows into a

What is a ria and how does it interact with
coastline’s water.
coastlines?
Gets submerged by the sea.

A shallow area with ripples.

What is a riffle in a river or stream? Caused usually by a rocky
surface.

Formed by two separating

What is a rift valley and how is it formed? tectonic plates.
Land falls to create the valley.

A large stream of water flowing

through land.
What defines a river?
Flows into a lake, ocean, or other
body of water.
 A branching river extending into
What is a river delta? another body of water.
Often forms at the mouth of a river.

An island located within a river.

What is a river island? Can be formed by sediment
deposition.

A large body of salt water.

What is the definition of a sea? Partly or completely surrounded
by land.

A wide channel connecting two

bodies of water.
What is a sound in geographical terms?
Can also be an inlet between the
mainland and islands.

The place where a river or

What is the source of a river? stream begins.
Often located in highland areas.
 A narrow waterway connecting two
larger bodies of water.
What is a strait and its significance?
Can be crucial for navigation and
marine life.

An area of sand or sediment that

rises above or below water.
What is a sandbar and how does it form?
Forms from the accumulation of
sand in a river or ocean.

A hole formed by the collapse of

limestone or soft rock.
What is a sinkhole and how does it occur?
Creates a depression on the earth’s
surface.

An area of land that is always

soaked with water.
What defines a swamp?
Supports grass and trees in low, wet
land.

A flat area of land resembling a step.

What is a terrace in geographical terms? Found on landforms like mountains,
valleys, or beaches.
 The regular rising and falling of
ocean waters.
What is a tide and its significance?
Connected to the gravitational pull
of the moon and sun.

The direction toward a river’s

What does upstream refer to in a river
source.
context?
Opposite to the river's flow.

Low land situated between hills or

mountains.
What is a valley and its characteristics?
Often formed by erosion or
geological activity.

A cone-shaped mountain formed

from rock or ash.
What is a volcano and how is it formed?
Has an opening or depression at the
top.

A place where running water makes

What is a waterfall and where is it typically a sheer drop.
found? Usually occurs over a cliff or steep
terrain.