Geography Fundamentals: Coastlines, Plateaus, and Valleys

Coastlines

• A coastline is the boundary between the land and the sea
• Formed by the interaction of geological processes, such as erosion, deposition, and tectonic activity
• Characteristics:
  • Irregular shape due to the combination of different geological processes
  • Constantly changing due to erosion, deposition, and human activities
  • May have various features, such as:
    • Bays: a body of water partially enclosed by land
    • Headlands: a point of land that extends out into the sea
    • Cliffs: a steep rock face that forms part of the coastline
    • Beaches: a landform along a body of water, formed by the accumulation of sediment
    • Deltas: a landform that forms at the mouth of a river, where sediment is deposited

Plateaus

• A plateau is a region of elevated land that is relatively flat on top
• Formed by a combination of geological processes, such as:
  • Volcanic activity: lava flows and volcanic eruptions can create a plateau
  • Erosion: the wearing away of the Earth's surface can create a plateau
  • Tectonic activity: the movement of the Earth's crust can create a plateau
• Characteristics:
  • Elevated above the surrounding landscape
  • Relatively flat or gently sloping on top
  • May have various features, such as:
    • Mesas: a flat-topped plateau with steep sides
    • Buttes: a small, isolated plateau with steep sides
    • Canyons: a deep, narrow valley carved out by a river

Valleys

• A valley is a low area of land between hills or mountains
• Formed by a combination of geological processes, such as:
  • Erosion: the wearing away of the Earth's surface by a river or glacier
  • Tectonic activity: the movement of the Earth's crust can create a valley
  • Volcanic activity: lava flows and volcanic eruptions can create a valley
• Characteristics:
  • Low area of land between hills or mountains
  • May have various features, such as:
    • Rivers: a natural flowing body of water that flows through a valley
    • Glaciers: a slow-moving river of ice that forms in a valley
    • Waterfalls: a steep drop in a river's course, often forming a valley