Glossary

barrier island n.

A long, relatively narrow island running parallel to the mainland, built up by the action of waves and currents and serving to protect the coast from erosion by surf and tidal surges.

binding matrix n.

The finer-grained material enclosing and binding the larger grains in a sedimentary rock or sediment.

continental shelf n.

The shallow bottom just offshore of most continents between water's edge and a sharp drop-off where the bottom plunges steeply [more]