Page "Coast" Paragraph 21

According to one principle of classification, an emergent coastline is a coastline which has experienced a fall in sea level, because of either a global sea level change, or local uplift.

Emergent coastlines are identifiable by the coastal landforms, which are above the high tide mark, such as raised beaches.

In contrast, a submergent coastline is one where the sea level has risen, due to a global sea level change, local subsidence, or isostatic rebound.

Submergent coastlines are identifiable by their submerged, or " drowned " landforms, such as rias ( drowned valleys ) and fjords.