DEPRESSED COASTS 261 



erosion is lapped by the inflowing water. All the irregu- 

 larities which lie below the water level are filled with water 

 and the shore line bends seaward around the projecting 

 elevations, and landward into the gullies and valleys. The 

 tops of isolated hills now stand out from the shore as islands. 

 The river valleys which crossed the region now sub- 

 merged reveal themselves only to the sounding line. Their 



A NORWAY FIORD 

 A result of downward movement of the earth's crust. 



landward extensions form estuaries up which the tide sweeps 

 far into the land. The unsubmerged portions of these 

 valleys contain fresh-water streams, the size of which seems 

 insignificant when compared to the size of the estuary. 

 Sheltered coves and harbors abound, affording protection 

 to all kinds of craft and fitting these coasts to be of great 

 commercial importance. 



The harvest of the sea replaces what might have been 



