Physical Landforms & Geographic Features Flashcards

Flashcards for vocabulary related to physical landforms and geographic features.

Escarpment

Steep slope or cliff between elevations

Ravine

Deep, narrow gorge

Foothills

Low hills at a mountain’s base

Mesa

Flat-topped hill with steep sides

Butte

Isolated steep hill.

Promontory

High point of land projecting into sea.

Alpine

High-altitude mountainous terrain.

Tundra

Treeless cold region.

Taiga

Northern coniferous forest zone.

Dell

Small valley among trees.

Craggy

Rough, rocky terrain.

Archipelago

Chain of islands.

Isthmus

Narrow land connecting larger land areas.

Atoll

Ring-shaped coral reef.

Fjord

Glacially carved sea inlet.

Delta

Sediment-rich river mouth.

Lagoon

Shallow water body near the sea.

Estuary

Where river meets the sea.

Tributary

Small river feeding a larger one.

Watershed

Area draining to a single body of water.

Aquifer

Underground water-bearing rock layer.

Basin

Low area often holding water.

Savanna

Grassy tropical plain.

Steppe

Large unforested grassland.

Glade

Open forest area.

Heath

Open shrubland.

Fen

Peat-rich wetland.

Peatland

Organic, wet ground.

Mangrove

Salt-tolerant coastal vegetation.

Chaparral

Dry shrubland biome.

Moraine

Glacial debris accumulation.

Canyon

Deep river gorge.