chenier

views updated May 21 2018

chenier A beach ridge or sandy, linear mound that is built on a marsh area. It is at least 150 m broad, up to 3 m high, and up to 50 km long, and is typical of the Gulf Coast of America. A chenier is formed by the reworking of river-derived materials by waves. There are usually muddy, marshy zones to the front and rear of the chenier.

chenier

views updated May 08 2018

chenier Beach ridge, or sandy, linear mound that is built on a marsh area. It is at least 150 m broad, up to 3 m high, and up to 50 km long, and is typical of the Gulf Coast of America. A chenier is formed by the reworking of river-derived materials by waves. There are usually muddy, marshy zones to the front and rear of the chenier.