What is the difference between a ria and a fjord?

For a period of time, European geomorphologists regarded rias to include any broad estuarine river mouth, including fjords. These are long, narrow inlets with steep sides or cliffs, created in a valley carved by glacial activity. It therefore excludes fjords by definition, since fjords are products of glaciation.

What are the two types of coasts?

Such a classification leads to the definition of three general tectonic types of coasts: (1) collision coasts, (2) trailing-edge coasts, and (3) marginal sea coasts. Collision coasts are those that occur along active plate margins, where the two plates are in collision or impinging upon each other (Figure 6.1).

What is the difference between a ria and an estuary?

Generally occurring along a rugged coast perpendicular to a mountain chain, many rias were formed by the rise in sea level after the melting of the vast continental glaciers. Rias are commonly very irregular and may have several branching tributaries; they usually are the major drainage systems of the adjacent areas.

What is Cliff coast?

A cliffed coast, also called an abrasion coast, is a form of coast where the action of marine waves has formed steep cliffs that may or may not be precipitous. It contrasts with a flat or alluvial coast.

How are ria coasts formed?

A ria coast is a combination of parallel rias on the coast of a landmass. A ria forms when the sea level rises and floods a river valley. The result is almost always an estuary surrounded by many hills that once was the valley. A ria is also known as a drowned river valley.

How is a ria formed geography?

ria, funnel-shaped estuary that occurs at a river mouth and is formed by the submergence of the lower portion of the river valley. Generally occurring along a rugged coast perpendicular to a mountain chain, many rias were formed by the rise in sea level after the melting of the vast continental glaciers.