Coastal Plain

A coastal plain is defined as a lowrelief region of largely undisturbed sedimentary strata that dips gently in the seaward direction. Coastal plainscommonly have well-developed drainage systems, some that are influenced byadjacent major mountain ranges and others that are not. Along the Gulf Coast,this type of coastal plain is generally present throughout, except for theMississippi Embayment where the Mississippi Delta occurs. In the delta there isa major landward extension of coastal plain strata that has accumulated on asubsiding, gently sloping trough. On the East coast, the coastal plain is similar innature to that found in the Gulf provinces. It begins in south Florida and terminates near the mouth of the Hudson River.