What is the name of a valley entering the ocean that was carved by a glacier?

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Prepare for the UCF GEO1200 Physical Geography Exam. Enhance your study with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, complete with hints and explanations. Ace your test with confidence!

A valley entering the ocean that has been carved by a glacier is known as a fjord. Fjords are typically formed when a glacier retreats, and the sea floods the U-shaped valley left behind. This process creates deep, narrow inlets characterized by steep cliffs or rugged terrain on either side. The unique geological processes at play in the formation of fjords differentiate them from other types of valleys, such as gorges or canyons, which are primarily formed through erosion by rivers or streams, not glaciers. An estuary, on the other hand, is a body of water where freshwater from rivers meets and mixes with saltwater from the ocean, lacking the glacier-carved characteristics of a fjord. Therefore, fjord is the correct term for such a geological feature.