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Vocabulary Term Details

Rias

Definition (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ria)

A ria is a coastal inlet formed by the partial submergence of an unglaciated river valley. It is a drowned river valley that remains open to the sea. Typically, rias have a dendritic, treelike outline although they can be straight and without significant branches. This pattern is inherited from the dendritic drainage pattern of the flooded river valley. The drowning of river valleys along a stretch of coast and formation of rias results in an extremely irregular and indented coastline. Often, there are islands, which are summits of partly submerged, pre-existing hill peaks. (Wikipedia)

Preferred Units: N/A

Scope Note:
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Broader TermsNarrower TermsRelated Terms
Coastal and oceanic landforms
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This term is used for the following terms: 
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Approved Date
11-Dec-2013

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