This article is over 5 years old and may contain outdated information.
Environment
tombolo
[t?m’b?-l?’]
Definition:
A narrow piece of land made of sediment such as sand or gravel that connects an island to the mainland or another island.
Origin:
Late eighteenth-century Italian tombolo for sand dune; from Latin tumulus meaning “hillock, mound.”
Example:
Frank Island near Tofino, British Columbia, is a good example of a tombolo. The rocky island is connected to the mainland by a large sandbar, which forms part of Chesterman Beach, a popular destination among locals. An island attached to the mainland by a tombolo is known as a tied island. Several islands connected by tombolos are called a tombolo cluster. Two or more can form a lagoon.
Are you passionate about Canadian geography?
You can support Canadian Geographic in 3 ways:
Environment
David Boyd, a Canadian environmental lawyer and UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, reveals how recognizing the human right to a healthy environment can spur positive action for the planet
Kids
People & Culture
The story of how a critically endangered Indigenous language can be saved
Environment
As cities and towns continue to expand into our wild landscapes, conservation gardens can provide refuge for Canada’s plummeting biodiversity