Unit 7 Vocabulary Check

The most broad term describing the land next to an ocean or large body of water. Ex. The entire stretch of land along the East Coast of the U.S., from Maine to Florida.

• shore

• lagoon

• beach

• coast

The narrowest, smallest component of a shoreline. Ex. There are several of the these along the coast of North Carolina

• beaches

• spits

• sand bars

• seawalls

It is a smaller portion of a coast. The Eastern __________ of Virginia

• beach

• lagoon

• shore

• barrier island

A current that runs parallel to the shoreline.

• longshore current

• rip current

• density current

• storm surge

Narrow coastal land formation that is tied to the coast at one end. Is surrounded by water on three sides.

• sandbar

• spit

• inlet

• groin

A long broad sandy island lying parallel to a shore.

• lagoon

• spit

• barrier island

• breakwater

A barrier built out into a body of water to protect a coast or harbor from the force of wind, waves, tides and currents

• spit

• groin

• seawall

• breakwater

A long, narrow structure built out into the water, perpendicular, from a beach in order to prevent beach erosion or to trap and accumulate sand that would otherwise drift along the beach face.

• breakwater

• seawall

• groin

• spit

A form of coastal defense constructed (on the shoreline not offshore) where the sea, and associated coastal processes, impact directly upon the landforms of the coast.

• sandbar

• groin

• breakwater

• seawall

What are the structures illustrated in the photo?

• groins

• seawalls

• breakwaters

• inlets