Terrace

A geological term for a step-like landform that borders a shoreline or river floodplain and represents the former position of either a floodplain or the shoreline of a lake, sea, or ocean. A terrace consists of a flat or gently sloping geomorphic surface that is typically bounded one side by a steeper ascending slope, which called a ñriserî or ñscarp,î on one side and a steeper descending slope (riser or scarp) on its other side. (Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Living Shoreline Design Guidelines for Shore Protection in Virginia' s Estuarine Environments, 2010)