Bill MacDowell Oceanography Block 3 23 September 2009 y A ria coast is a combination of parallel rias on the coast of a landmass. y A ria forms when the sea level rises and floods a river valley. y The result is almost always an estuary surrounded by many hills that once was the valley. y A ria is also known as a drowned river valley. y A ria begins as a simple river valley. Essentially, many hills with a river running through them. y During the ice age there were many rivers close to the ocean. y Eventually, the ocean sea level rose so much that it begins to fill up the valleys around the hills. y After some time, the valley is full of ocean water and the river still leads into it. y The combination of ocean water and river water forms the estuary. y The ria coast has a V–shaped channel running through it. y It also has many small “feeder rivers” branching off of it. y Since a ria coast is just like any ordinary estuary, it has ordinary estuarine species on it. y Obviously this varies depending on geographical location. y The ria coast of the Deleware Bay probably has many species similar to those in Barnegat Bay: y Green crab y Eel grass y Winter flounder y Weakfish y Sea bass y A ria and a fjord are very similar and sometimes they can be mistaken for one another. y The difference is that a fjord is formed by glacial movement whereas, a ria is formed from a river valley that has been flooded by high water. y Another key difference is that a ria is deeper and wider towards the mouth whereas, fjords have shallow mouths. y Global warming is expected to greatly affect the global environment in the upcoming decades. y Scientists believe that it may melt the polar ice caps. If this occurs the sea level will continue to rise. y Obviously, if the sea level rises, the ria coasts will not be in danger. y Some more ria coasts might even be formed. y "Ria Coast." Answers. Reference Answers, n.d. Web. 23 Sept. 2009.