Geography Glossary - L
La NIna
A periodic cooling of the ocean waters in the Pacific Ocean which affects global weather patterns
lagoon
A small, shallow body of water between a barrier island or a coral reef and the mainland, also a small body of water surrounded by an atoll
lahar
A volcanic mudflow
latitude
Angular degrees based on the equator; the equator is 0¡ã latitude and the North Pole is 90¡ã North while the South Pole is 90¡ã south
lava
Magma that reaches the earth's surface through a volcanic vent or fissure
lingua franca
The language used by a population as their common language
lithification
The process by which sediments form sedimentary rock
lithosphere
The soil and rock layer of the earth.
loess
A fine-grained wind deposit of clay, sand, and silt
longitude
Angular degrees based on the Prime Merdidian (0¡ã) at Greenwich, London; degrees are east or west of Greenwich and meet in the Pacific Ocean at 180¡ã