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6.4.4 Drowned (River) Valley

Rivers entering a sea or lake may become drowned or filled with sea water as a result of either downwarping along the coastline or eustatic (world-wide) sea-level rise. The former river valleys become deeply indented bays and estuaries and often exhibit a dendritic pattern of tributary valleys. Drowned river valleys are characterized by shallow waters in the estuary, accordant bottom levels, river valley cross sections, and the extension into an existing river system landward.


Images
Valley mouths closed by barrier beaches.
Valley mouths closed by barrier beaches.
Earth Science Slides by John S. Shelton
Submergence without virgorous wave action.  Valley mouths closed by barrier beaches. 

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