A vocabulary of landscape — a landscape of words
1039 entries
blowhole
A hole in coastal rock through which waves force jets of seawater and spray into the air — a natural geyser powered by wave energy rather than geothermal heat. Blowholes form where the sea has carved a cave beneath the rock and the cave’s roof has a narrow opening. Each incoming wave compresses the air inside, and the jet erupts.
Etymology
English compound of blow (Old English blāwan) + hole (Old English hol). Literally a hole that blows — named for the spout of air and water it expels.