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Letter FGeology glossary

Fluvial Terrace

A fluvial terrace is a step-like landform that represents a former level of a riverbed, formed by river erosion and deposition. Terraces are often used as indicators of past river activity, climatic changes, and tectonic uplift. They are important in the study of fluvial geomorphology, stratigraphy, and Quaternary geology.

Cross-section diagram showing river valley layers and deposits (fluvial terrace)
Fig. 1 Cross-section diagram showing river valley layers and deposits (fluvial terrace)

Source Bull, W. B. (1991). Geomorphic Responses to Climatic Change. Oxford University Press.

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