Landforms and Biomes

Landforms and BiomesVolcanoAn opening in the earth's crust through which molten lava, ash, and gases are ejected

Floodplain An area of low-lying ground next to a river, formed mainly of river sediments and subject to flooding.

PlateauAn elevated, comparatively level expanse of land; a tableland

CanyonA deep gorge, typically one with a river flowing through it, as found in North America.

MountainA large natural elevation of the earth's surface rising abruptly from the surrounding level; a large steep hill.

IslandA piece of land surrounded by water.

StraitA narrow passage of water connecting two seas or two large areas of water

PeninsulaA piece of land almost surrounded by water or projecting out into a body of water.

PlainA large area of flat land with few trees

ValleyA low area of land between hills or mountains, typically with a river or stream flowing through it

RiverA large natural stream of water flowing in a channel to the sea, a lake, or another stream

LakeA large body of water surrounded by land

IsthmusA narrow strip of land with sea on either side, forming a link between two larger areas of land.

ArchipelagoA group of islands

OceanA very large expanse of sea, in particular, each of the main areas into which the sea is divided geographically

ForestAreas that are dominated by trees and other woody vegetation

SavannaA savanna is a rolling grassland scattered with shrubs and isolated trees

TundraIt is noted for its frost-molded landscapes, extremely low temperatures, little precipitation, poor nutrients, and short growing seasons

GrasslandGrassland biomes are large, rolling terrains of grasses, flowers and herbs

DesertDeserts cover about one fifth of the Earth's surface and occur where rainfall is less than 50 cm/year

BarrenThis land is cold year-round, it has thin, poor soil and few animals.