Landform: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

A landform comprises a geomorphological unit. Oceans and continents exemplify highest-order landforms.

A number of factors, ranging from plate tectonics to erosion and deposition can generate and affect landforms. Biological factors can also influence landforms -- see for example the role of plants in the development of dune systems and salt marshes, and the work of corals and algae in the formation of coral reefs.

See also: geomorphology, topography, physical geography, earth science.

List of landforms

• alas
• continent
• limestone pavement
• plain and plateau

Slope landforms

• cliff
• cuesta
• escarpment
• hill
• mountain
• ridge
• rock shelter
• scarp
• terrace & terracettes
• valley
• watershed

Coastal and Oceanic landforms

• arch
• barrier bar & barrier island
• bay & gulf
• beach & raised beach
• boondock
• cape
• cave
• cliff
• coral reef
• cove
• delta
• dune system
• estuary
• fjord
• headland
• island, island arc, archipelago & atoll
• lagoon
• machair
• ocean
• Ocean Ridge & Ocean Trench
• peninsula
• ria
• salt marsh
• sea
• sound
• spit
• stack & stump
• tombolo
• wave cut platform

Fluvial landforms

• bar
• basin
• beach
• cave
• cliff
• confluence
• delta
• estuary
• flood plain
• gorge and canyon
• gully
• island
• lake
• levee
• marsh
• meander
• ox-bow lake
• pool
• riffle
• river
• spring
• stream
• stream terrace
• swamp
• valley and vale
• waterfall
• watershed

Mountain & Glacial landforms

• arete
• cirque
• crevasse
• cwm
• dirt cone
• drumlin
• drumlin field
• esker
• fjord
• glacial valley
• glacial horn
• glacier
• hanging valley
• kame
• kame delta
• kettle
• moraine, dump moraine, end moraine & latteral moraine
• mountain & mountain range
• outwash fan and outwash plain
• pingo
• stream terrace
• valley

Volcanic Landforms

• Caldera
• cinder cone
• Geyser
• lava dome
• lava flow & lava plain
• Ocean Ridge
• Ocean Trench
• Vent
• Volcanic Island
• Volcano, shield volcano & composite volcano (or stratovolcano)

Erosion Landform

Landforms produced by erosion and weathering usually occur in coastal or fluvial environments, and many appear above under those headings. Some other erosion landforms that do not fall into the above categories include:

• canyon
• cave
• limestone pavement
• tea table

• Deposition Landform -- landforms produced by deposition of load or sediment (usually coastal or fluvial).
• Eolian Landform - landforms produced by wind weathering.