Landforms for 8th grade Geography

beach

A pebbly or sandy shore, especially by the sea between high and low water marks

Peninsula

a body of land that is surrounded by water on three sides

channel

a body of water that connects two larger bodies of water (like the English Channel). A Channel is also part of a river or harbor that is deep enough to let ships sail through

bay

a body of water that is partly enclosed by land and is usually smaller than a gulf

Tundra

a cold, treeless area. It is the coldest biome

canyon

a deep valley with very steep sides- often carved from the Earth by a river

basin

a depression in the ground

Oasis

a fertile place in the desert where there is water and some vegetation

Archipelago

a group or chain of islands clustered together in a sea of island

dune

a hill or ridge made of sand. Dunes are shaped by the wind and change all the time

Mesa

a land formation with a flat area on top and steep walls- usually occurring in dry areas.

Ocean

a large body of salt water that surrounds a continent. Oceans cover more than two-thirds of the earth's surface

Sea

a large body of salty water that is often connected to an ocean. A sea may be partly or completely surrounded by land

Lake

a large body of water surrounded by land on all sides. Really huge lakes are often called seas

Plateau

a large flat area of land that is higher than the surrounding land

River

a large flowing body of water that usually empties into a sea or ocean

cave

a larger hole in the ground or in the side of a hill or mountain

Valley

a low place between mountains

delta

a low, watery land formed at the mouth of a river. It is formed from the silt and small rocks that flow downstream in the river and are deposited in the delta. A delta is often, but not always shaped like a triangle

col

a mountain pass

Volcano

a mountainous vent in the earth's crust. When a volcano erupts, it spews out lava, ashes, and hot gases from deep inside the earth

Strait

a narrow body of water that connects two larger bodies of water

Isthmus

a narrow strip of land connecting two larger landmasses. An isthmus has water on two sides

Geyser

a natural hot spring that occasionally sprays water and steam above the ground

gulf

a part of the ocean or sea that is partly surrounded by land, it is usually larger than a bay

Island

a piece of land that is surrounded by water

cape

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

hill

a raised area or mound of land

atoll

a ring (or partial ring) of coral that forms an island in an ocean or sea

Lagoon

a shallow body of water that is located alongside a coast

Harbor

a sheltered area of water where ships may anchor safely

Glacier

a slowly moving river of ice

Pond

a small body of water surrounded by land. A pond is smaller than a lake

cove

a small, horseshoe- shaped body of water along the coast; the water is surrounded by land formed of soft rock

Tributary

a stream or river that flows into a larger river

Swamp

a type of freshwater wetland that has spongy muddy land and a lot of water. Many trees and shrubs grow in swamps

desert

a very dry area

Mountain

a very tall, high, natural place on earth. It is higher than a hill. The tallest mountain on earth is Mt. Everest located in Nepal on the Nepal-China border

Prairie

a wide, relatively flat area of land that has grasses and only a few trees

Jungle

an area of land overgrown with dense forest and tangled vegetation, typically in the tropics

canal

an artificial waterway constructed to allow the passage of boats or ships inland or to convey water for irrigation

Plain

flat lands that have only small changes in elevation

cliff

is a steep face of a rock and soil

Forest

large area covered chiefly with trees and undergrowth.

landforms

naturally formed features on the earth's surface

Waterfall

occurs when a river falls off steeply

Source (of a river)

the beginning of a river. Also known as a mouth

Estuary

where a river meets the sea or ocean