Vertical shadowing in coastal geography is defined as which phenomenon?

• A. It is the effect of moonlight on coastal formations.
• B. It refers to the phenomenon where lower mountain ranges of coastal hills shadow higher inland mountains.
• C. It describes shadowing caused by cloud cover over coastal areas.
• D. It occurs when inland hills shadow coastal peaks during clear nights.

Answer: (B)

Vertical shadowing is the effect of terrain blocking sunlight so that shadows extend from nearer terrain onto farther terrain. In a coastal setting, the lower mountain ranges along the coast can shield higher inland mountains from the sun, creating a distinct inland shadow. That’s why the description of the lower coastal hills shadowing higher inland mountains is the best fit: the shading is caused by the sun’s rays being blocked by nearby coastal elevations, not by moonlight, cloud cover, or nighttime conditions. The phenomenon depends on the sun being at a low angle, so the near coastal hills cast shadows that reach inland during daylight.