Surface Water, Glacier, Wind, and Coastal Landforms: A Comprehensive Study

Modeling of Surface Water

• Forms of Erosion: Grooves and Gullies: Streams formed by water remove materials, originating grooves and other larger features.
• V-Shaped Valleys: Rivers carve V-shaped valleys.
• Forms Arising from Differential Erosion.
• Alluvial Fan: Accumulation of eroded material transported by a stream, deposited in floodplains during floods.
• Meanders: Curves described by rivers.
• Fluvial Terraces: Old floodplains where rivers have cut down, leaving terraces far below.

Modeling of Glaciers

A glacier is a large mass of ice that moves over land.

• Cirque: Area where snow accumulates and turns into ice.
• Glacial Tongue: Ice mass that descends into the valley.
• Terminal Moraine: Area where ice melts and deposits transported material.

Forms of Erosion

• U-Shaped Valley: Alpine glaciers excavate U-shaped valleys.
• Hanging Valleys: Ancient glacial tributary valleys.
• Gaps: The glacier over-excavates, making the bottom of the cirque deeper than the beginning of the valley.

Modeling of Wind (Aeolian)

Forms of Erosion

• Alveoli: Small cavities produced in rock.
• Fungiform Rocks: Aeolian abrasion can create mushroom-shaped isolated rock masses.
• Desert Pavement: Desert surface covered by a thick layer of rocks.

Sedimentation Forms

• Dunes: Deposits of sand transported by wind.
• Loess: Deposits of fine materials transported by wind over long distances.

Modeling of Coastlines

Forms of Erosion

• Cliff: Slope separating the sea from the land surface.
• Abrasion Platform: Horizontal surface at the foot of the cliff.
• Coastal Islands: Remnants of ancient promontories that have lost connection with the mainland.
• Natural Arches: Shallow cavities crossing promontories.
• Marine Terraces: Terraces located on the cliff.

Coastal Sedimentation

• Beaches: Coastal strips of sand and gravel deposits.
• Deltas: Deposits accumulated at the mouth of a river.
• Bars: Elongated sand deposits parallel to the coast.
• Spits: Bars with one end connected to the shore.
• Tombolos: Deposits connecting a small island to the mainland.
• Lagoon: Coastal lagoon partially or completely separated from the sea by a bar.