Dikes are long walls or embankments constructed along rivers, coasts, or lakeshores to protect against flooding and control water levels. They are typically made of earth, stone, or concrete.
Related terms
Polder: Low-lying land enclosed by dikes that has been reclaimed from the sea or a river through drainage systems.
Sea Level Rise: The increase in average global sea level due to climate change caused by melting glaciers and thermal expansion of seawater.
Coastal Erosion: The gradual wearing away of coastal landforms such as beaches and cliffs by wave action, currents, and tides.