Coastal Elements



Element | Description | ||
---|---|---|---|
Anchialine Pool | a | A landlocked pool of water with a subterranean connection to the ocean | |
Archipelago | a | A group of islands | |
Atoll | a | A ring-shaped reef of coral | |
Barrier Island | a | x | An island formed by tidal action adjacent to a mainland coast |
Bay | a | A recessed body of water connected to a larger lake or ocean | |
Beach | a | x | An area of loose sand or stone adjacent to a body of water |
Beach Umbrella | s | How much shade does it offer? | |
Bioluminescent Algae | a, s | It makes the waters glow at night | |
Breakwater | a | A barrier that shelters a harbor or shore from ocean waves | |
Bridge | b | How long? | |
Buried Treasure | b, s | x | Who buried it here? |
Cape | a | An area of land extending into a body of water | |
Castle | b | How far are the views from the walls? | |
Channel | a | A narrow and long body of water | |
Chine | a | A steep-sided coastal gorge usually where a small river or stream has eroded through | |
Coastal Cliff | a | x | A steep rock face rising from a body of water to the landmass above |
Coconut | s | Dropped from a tree | |
Conch | s | x | A large shell. Can you hear the ocean in it? |
Coral Reef | a | x | Growth and deposit of coral skeleton |
Cove | a | A small sheltered bay | |
Crab Trap | s | x | A trap for crabs that has washed ashore. Is it full? |
Docks | b | A single one or many? | |
Driftwood | s | Floating wood or wood washed ashore. A log, a tree branch, or a piece of ship | |
Dry Docks | b | A place where boats can be built and repaired out of water | |
Estuary | a | An area of brackish area connected to the ocean in which rivers flow into | |
Ferry Crossing | b | x | How long is the ride? |
Fish Trap | s | A trap for fish that has washed ashore | |
Fishing Line | s | Does it have a lure? | |
Fishing Net | s | Washed ashore and perhaps full? | |
Fishing Shack | b | x | How big? |
Fishing Town | b | How small or how large? | |
Fjord | a | A narrow inlet with cliff sides | |
Flood | e | Head for high ground | |
Flotsam | s | x | Debris in the water unintentionally lost from a ship |
Fort | b | What does it protect | |
Gulf | a | A large inlet | |
Harbor | b | x | How safe? |
High Tide | e | The time at which the water is at its' highest point. Far far up does it go? | |
High Waves | a, e | Dangerous or good for surfing? | |
High Winds | e | How strong? | |
Hurricane | e | x | How strong are the winds? |
Inlet | a | x | An area of water that projects into a landmass |
Island | a | An area of land surrounded by water | |
Islet | a | A small island | |
Isthmus | a | A narrow strip of land connecting two larger landmasses | |
Jetsam | s | Debris in the water intentionally thrown overboard to lighten a ship | |
Lagoon | a | x | A shallow body of water separated from a sea or ocean by barrier islands or reefs |
Lighthouse | b | x | To guide ships in storm or treachorous waters |
Lobster Trap | s | A trap for lobster that has washed ashore | |
Low Tide | e | The time at which the water is at its' lowest point. What is revealed by the ebb? | |
Mangrove Forest | a | A collection of mangrove trees that grow out of brackish water | |
Narrows | a | A restricted water passage, usually a straight but occasionally a water gap | |
Naval Base | b | x | To protect or attack |
Ocean Current | a | x | How strong and does it bring cool or warm water? |
Oyster Reef | a | A bed of oysters near the shore | |
Palm Tree | s | x | A tropical tree, perhaps with coconuts |
Peninsula | a | An area of land bordered on three sides by water | |
Port | b | Important for trade, defense, or tourism? | |
Resort | b | Does it have a spa? | |
Ria | a | A fractal-like network of inlets | |
Riptide | e | A dangerous current away from the shore known to pull the unlucky out to sea | |
River Delta | a | A deposition of silt at the mouth of a river | |
Rocks | s | They make the shore treacherous | |
Salt Marsh | a | An area of brackish or saltwater that is regularly flooded | |
Sand | s | How fine? | |
Sand Castle | s | How big? | |
Sand Prints | s | x | Who left them and where do they go? |
Sandbar | a | A ridge of sand in shallow ocean waters | |
Sea Animal Carcass | s | Rotting on the beach | |
Sea Cave | a | x | A cave located along the coastline |
Sea Glass | s | A piece of glass worn by the sea | |
Sea Stack | a | A pillar of rock emerging from the water near the seashore | |
Sea Star | s | x | Must have washed ashore |
Seaweed | s | A bit of plantlife washed ashore | |
Shells | s | What colors and what kind? | |
Shipwreck | b | x | What caused this? |
Shoal | a | A debris-covered landform that rises from the seabed to the near surface | |
Shore | a | The area of land adjacent to a body of water | |
Sound | a | A long, wide body of water connecting two larger bodies of water | |
Storm | e | x | How strong? |
Straight | a | A narrow strip of water that connects to larger bodies of water | |
Tidal Flats | a | Muddy or marsh lowlands that are revealed or swallowed by the ebbing tides | |
Tidal Marsh | a | A marsh created by tidal forces | |
Tide Pool | a | x | A pool of saltwater separated from the sea during low tide |
Toxic Algae Bloom | e | Do not swim | |
Trade Route | a | What goods? | |
Tsunami | e | Head for high ground | |
Volcanic Island | a | An island formed by volcanic activity | |
Water Gap | a | A gap in a mountain or mountain range where water has carved through | |
Waterspout | e | A tornado-like vortx that occurs over water |