How Well Do You Know Landforms Made by Running Water?

A large and deep body of water surrounded by land is called a lake. Lakes can vary in size, shape, and depth and are formed through various geological processes, such as glacial activity, tectonic processes, or volcanic activity. They are distinct from other water bodies, with creeks being small streams, a sound being a wide sea or ocean inlet, and a gorge being a deep and narrow valley with steep sides, often carved by a river or stream.

A natural underground chamber or series of chambers, typically formed by the dissolution of limestone, is called a cave. Caves are created through the chemical weathering of limestone by water, leading to the formation of underground passages, stalactites, and stalagmites. A gorge is a deep and narrow valley, a plateau is an elevated flat area, and a salt flat is a flat expanse of salt-covered ground, each formed by different geological processes.

A flat, elevated landform that rises sharply above the surrounding area is called a mesa. Mesas are characterized by their flat tops and steep sides, and they often occur in arid or semi-arid regions. These landforms are created through the erosion and weathering of sedimentary rock layers. In contrast, terms like cave, creek, and marsh refer to different geological features—a cave is an underground cavity, a creek is a small stream, and a marsh is a wetland area.

A landform created by the erosion of a river or stream is typically referred to as a canyon. Canyons are formed over time as flowing water gradually wears away the rock or soil, creating a deep and often narrow gorge with steep sides. Other landforms mentioned, such as plateaus, deltas, and fjords, may be shaped by different geological processes.

A steep slope or long cliff created by erosion or tectonic activity is commonly referred to as a cliff. Cliffs are vertical or near-vertical rock faces that can be formed through various geological processes, including erosion by water, wind, or ice, as well as tectonic uplift. The term "canyon" is more specific and generally refers to a deep and narrow valley with steep sides, often shaped by river erosion.

A large, flat-topped landform with steep sides that is typically located in an arid or semi-arid region is called a plateau. Plateaus, also known as tablelands, mesas, or buttes, are elevated landforms with relatively flat surfaces that rise abruptly above the surrounding terrain. They are often the result of geological processes such as tectonic uplift or volcanic activity. In contrast, a gorge is a deep, narrow valley with steep sides, a dune is a mound or ridge of sand, and an inlet is a narrow body of water between islands or leading inland from a larger body of water.

A deep and narrow valley, usually with a river or stream flowing through it, is commonly referred to as a ravine. Ravines are characterized by steep sides and are often formed through erosional processes by water. They are smaller than canyons but share similar features, such as the presence of a watercourse. In contrast, a cove is a small, sheltered bay, a dell is a small, wooded valley, and an estuary is a partially enclosed coastal body of water where freshwater and seawater meet.

A narrow and steep-sided piece of land projecting into a body of water is called a peninsula. Peninsulas are characterized by their connection to the mainland on one end while extending into a body of water on the other. This landform is often surrounded by water on three sides. In contrast, plateaus are elevated flat areas, marshes are wetlands, and lagoons are shallow bodies of water separated from a larger body of water by a barrier such as a sandbar or barrier island.

A narrow passage of water between two land masses, typically connecting two larger bodies of water, is called a strait. Straits are natural channels that serve as important waterways, facilitating maritime transportation and navigation. Valleys are low areas between hills or mountains, a gulf is a large and significant body of water partially enclosed by land, and an archipelago is a group or chain of islands. Each term describes different geographical features related to land and water configurations.

A body of water forming an indentation of the shoreline, larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf, is known as a bay. Bays are coastal features characterized by their semi-enclosed nature, with a wide opening to the sea or ocean. They are typically larger than coves and may vary in size and shape. Gulch refers to a narrow and steep-sided ravine, a salt flat is a flat expanse of salt-covered ground, and a lagoon is a shallow body of water separated from a larger body of water by a barrier.

An area of low-lying, often marshy land that is periodically flooded by tides is referred to as a marsh. Marshes are wetlands characterized by their shallow and waterlogged conditions, and they often experience regular tidal inundation. This creates a habitat that supports a variety of plant and animal life adapted to both terrestrial and aquatic environments. In contrast, a bay is a body of water partially enclosed by land, a lake is an inland water body, and a gulch is a narrow, steep-sided ravine or valley.

A narrow strip of land connecting two larger land areas, with water on both sides, is known as an isthmus. Isthmuses serve as natural land bridges between larger land masses and can have significant geographic and strategic importance. An archipelago is a group or chain of islands, a valley is a low area between hills or mountains, and a strait is a narrow passage of water connecting two larger bodies of water.

A large and deep natural depression in the Earth's surface, often with a river flowing through it, is called a canyon. Canyons are formed through erosional processes, and their distinctive features include steep sides and sometimes narrow widths. Gulch is a term for a narrow and steep-sided ravine or valley, a dell is a small, wooded valley, and an ocean is a vast body of saltwater that covers a significant portion of the Earth's surface.

A small and rounded hill, typically found in groups or rows, is called a dune. Dunes are often formed by the wind deposition of sand, and they can be found in deserts, coastal areas, or other environments with loose sand. Mesas and buttes are flat-topped hills with steep sides, and a hill is a general term for a raised landform. While "dune" specifically refers to hills formed by wind-blown sand, the other terms describe hills with different geological characteristics.

A small, narrow opening or recess in a cliff or wall, often formed by water erosion, is referred to as a cove. Coves are typically sheltered areas along a coastline and can result from various erosional processes, including the action of waves. Inlets are narrow bodies of water between islands or leading inland from a larger body of water, gulches are narrow ravines, and fjords are deep, glacially-carved inlets with steep cliffs, often found in high-latitude regions.