POSC Specifications
Version 2.2
Epicentre Standard Values
ref_geographic_feature

ref_geographic_feature

Changes Document
Standard Instance Values

Alias values exist. Go to ref_code_alias.

kind description source _reference source version status
    ref _source _reference .ref _source .name ref _source .name ref _epicentre _version .name  
airport A facility, either on land or water, where aircraft can take off and land; usually consists of hard-surfaced landing strips, a control tower, hangars, and accommodations for passengers and cargo. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
antenna A metallic apparatus for sending and receiving electro-magnetic waves. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
antenna array A group of directional antennas. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
approachway The airspace through which aircraft approach or leave a landing area. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
arch A curved structure that supports the weight of material over an open space. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
backwater An area of calm water unaffected by the current of a stream. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
bar A submerged or emerged mound, ridge, or succession of ridges of sand or other material extending across the bottom, and which may obstruct navigation. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
basin Any bowl-shaped depression in the surface of the land or ocean floor. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
bay This value is deprecated. The SDTS considers -inlet- to be the proper choice for a bay. Use inlet. AGI Glossary of Geology POSC 2.2 deprecated
beach The gently sloping shore which is washed by waves or tides, especially the parts covered by sand or pebbles. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
beacon A fixed signal, mark, or light and associated facilities erected for the guidance of mariners or airplane pilots. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
berth The place where a ship lies when at anchor secured to a pier or wharf. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
bottom The portion of the ground surface which lies below water. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
boundary A nonphysical line indicating the limit or extent of an area or territory. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
breakers A zone or region of waves breaking into foam as they advance toward the shore. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
breakwater A structure built to break the force of waves so as to protect a beach, harbor, or other waterfront facility. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
bridge A structure erected over a depression or obstacle to carry traffic or some facility such as a pipeline. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
bridge superstructure Those elements of the bridge structure which are above the uppermost deck. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
building A permanent walled and roofed construction. SDTS POSC 2.1 current

ref_geographic_feature

. Go To Top
kind description source _reference source version status
building complex A group of buildings and associated facilities functioning together as a unit. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
buoy A float moored or anchored in water. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
cableway A conveyor system in which carrier units run on wire cables string between supports. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
campground The ground or area on which tents, huts, etc., are erected for temporary shelter. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
cape A relatively extensive land area jutting into a water body, which prominently marks a change in or interrupts notably the coastal trend of that water body. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
catchment An area drained by a single watercourse; a natural drainage area which may coincide with a river basin, in which the divides direct the water from the rainfall and percolation into a river. However, where underground flow is involved, the catchment may be larger or smaller than that that may be apparent from the surface relief. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
cave Naturally formed, subterranean open area or chamber. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
cemetery A place for burying the dead. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
chimney A structure containing a passage or flue for discharging smoke and gases from combustion. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
cirque A deep natural hollow near the crest of a mountain. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
clearing An open area in a forest. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
cliff A high, steep, or overhanging face of rock. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
coast The general region of indefinite width that extends from the sea inland to the first major change in terrain features. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
continent One of the large, unbroken masses of land into which the Earth's surface is divided. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
control point A point of known location. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
crater Circular-shaped depression at the summit of a volcanic cone or on the surface of the land. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
crevasse A deep fissure in snow or ice. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
crib A crate-like construction of logs or beams, usually filled with stones, placed in water as a free standing mooring device or as the foundation of a pier or wharf. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
cropland Land that has been plowed or otherwise cultivated. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
cut An excavation of the Earth's surface to provide passage for a road, railway, canal, etc. SDTS POSC 2.1 current

ref_geographic_feature

. Go To Top
kind description source _reference source version status
dam A barrier constructed across a watercourse to control the flow or raise the level of water. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
delta A tract of alluvium formed at the mouth of a river where the deposition of some of its load exceeds its rate of removal, crossed by the divergent channels (distributaries) of the river. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
demilitarized zone An area in which military activity is prohibited. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
desert A region rendered barren or partially barren by environmental extremes, especially by low rainfall. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
dry dock An artificial basin fitted with gate or caisson into which a vessel may be floated and from which the water may be pumped out to expose the bottom of the vessel. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
dumping ground Area designated for dumping various types of materials. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
earth surface The outermost surface of the land and waters of the planet. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
embankment A raised structure of earth, ground, etc. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
exhibition ground A public area containing buildings, paddocks, etc., for the display of livestock, agricultural produce, machinery, etc. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
farm A tract of crop or grazing land, as well as the group of buildings with and often surrounding a farmhouse, including barns, sheds, and other outbuildings, used for agricultural production. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
fault A fracture in the Earth's crust with displacement on one side of the fracture relative to the other. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
fence An enclosure or barrier made of wire, rails, slats or other relatively light material, as opposed to a wall which is of stone or other heavy material. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
filtration beds An area containing layers of material used to filter or aerate water. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
fish hatchery A facility used for the spawning of fish which are subsequently used to stock lakes and streams. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
fish ladder A facility consisting of a series of small pools each one slightly higher than the preceding, built around a dam to enable fish to make their way upstream. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
fish trap A device used to catch fish. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
fishing ground A water area in which fishing is frequently carried on. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
flat A level tract lying at a small depth below the surface of water, or alternately covered and left bare by the tide. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
flood plain An area which is subject to periodic flooding. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
ford The shallow part of a river which can be easily crossed. SDTS POSC 2.1 current

ref_geographic_feature

. Go To Top
kind description source _reference source version status
fort A fortified place or position. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
fumarole A hole in the Earth's crust from which steam and gases are emitted. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
gantry A frame structure raised on side supports so as to span over or around something. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
gap Low point or opening between hills or mountains or in a ridge or mountain range. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
gate A structure that may be swung, drawn, or lowered to block an entrance or passageway. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
geologic zone An area of geologic significance, such as a fault or fracture zone, that is not otherwise classified.   POSC 2.1 current
geyser An intermittent fountain of hot water ejected with force from a hole in the Earth's crust. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
golf course An area set out for the playing of golf. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
grandstand A usually roofed structure for viewing events and having tiers of seats for spectators. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
grassland An uncultivated area of grass or grass-like vegetation. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
grave A place within a graveyard used for burial. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
ground The solid portion of the Earth up to and including the ground surface. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
ground surface The land surface of the Earth, both exposed and underwater. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
guard rail A strong fence or barrier to prevent vehicles from leaving the roadway, or for people's safety. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
harbor An area of water where ships, planes or other watercraft can anchor or dock. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
headwaters The upper part of a river system, denoting the upper basin and source streams of a river. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
hedge A dense growth of shrubbery planted as a fence or boundary. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
helipad A transportation structure used for the landing of helicopters. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
hopper A top loading funnel-shaped structure for temporary storage of loose materials which will be dispensed from its bottom. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
ice field Large area of permanent sea or land ice. SDTS POSC 2.1 current

ref_geographic_feature

. Go To Top
kind description source _reference source version status
ice rink A surface of ice for ice skating. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
iceberg A large mass of detached land ice in the sea or stranded in shallow water. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
indian reservation An area set aside for the use of an indian tribe or tribes. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
inlet An opening of the sea into the land, or of a lake into its shore. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
inshore traffic A designated area between the landward boundary of a SDTS POSC 2.1 current
zone traffic separation scheme and the adjacent coast, intended for local traffic. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
intersection The junction of roads or tracks. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
irrigation system A system designed to supply land with water. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
island Area of dry or relatively dry land surrounded by water or low wetland. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
island cluster A group of islands. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
isthmus Narrow section of land in a body of water connecting two larger land areas. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
lagoon A sheet of salt water separated from the open sea by sand or shingle banks. The sheet of water between an offshore reef, esp. of coral and mainland. The sheet of water within a ring or horseshoe shaped atoll. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
lake Any standard body of inland water. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
landing place A place for loading and unloading passengers or cargo to and from water vessels. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
lane A prescribed course for ships or aircraft, or a strip delineated on a road to accommodate a single line of automobiles; not to be confused with the road itself. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
launching ramp A transportation structure used for launching boats. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
lock An enclosure in a water body with gates at each end to raise or lower vessels as they pass from one level to another. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
marina A harbor facility for recreational craft where supplies, repairs, and various services are available. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
military base An area owned and operated by the government in which various military activities take place. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
military bunker A military strong point, usually part of an extensive fortification. SDTS POSC 2.1 current

ref_geographic_feature

. Go To Top
kind description source _reference source version status
mine An excavation in the Earth for the purpose of extracting earth materials. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
mine field An area where explosive mines have been anchored or sunk in water or buried on land. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
missile site An area for housing and launching guided missiles. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
mobile home A trailer that is a permanent dwelling and is designed without a permanent foundation. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
mobile home park An area maintained for the parking of inhabited mobile homes. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
monument A structure erected as a memorial. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
mooring The place where a craft may be secured to the ground, wharf, pier, post, or buoy. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
moraine An accumulation of boulders, stones, or other debris carried and deposited by a glacier. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
mount A mountain or hill. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
mount range A series of connected and aligned mountains or mountain ridges. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
mouth The exit or point of discharge of a stream into another stream, lake or sea. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
oasis A small, isolated, fertile or green area in a desert region, usually having a spring or well. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
off road vehicular area An area for the testing of, or use by, vehicles that are designed to travel across the terrain. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
offshore platform A raised surface located in a sea. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
oil field An area where petroleum is or was removed from the Earth. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
outdoor theater An outdoor area consisting of a stage or other focal point, and an area where the audience can be seated. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
overfalls Short breaking waves occurring when a current passes over a shoal or other submarine obstruction or meets a contrary current or wind. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
overrun/stopway An area beyond the take-off runway able to support an airplane during an aborted take-off. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
park A place or area set aside for recreation or preservation of a cultural or natural resource. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
parking area An area set aside for the parking of motor vehicles. SDTS POSC 2.1 current

ref_geographic_feature

. Go To Top
kind description source _reference source version status
peak The summit of a mountain. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
peninsula A body of land jutting out into and nearly surrounded by water. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
pier A structure built out into the water, usually with its greatest dimension at right angles to the shore, forming a landing place or a place alongside which vessels can lie. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
piling A set of posts forced into the earth to serve as a support, as for a pier, or to resist lateral pressure. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
pilot waters Areas in which the services of a marine pilot are essential. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
pinnacle A tall, slender, spire-shaped rock projecting from a level or more gently sloping surface. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
place An area with definite or indefinite boundaries. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
plain A region of general uniform slope, comparatively level, and of considerable extent. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
plateau An elevated and comparatively level expanse of land. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
plunge pool A hollow eroded by the force of the falling water at the base of a waterfall, particularly by the eddying effect. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
polyna Any enclosed water area in pack ice other than a lead, not large enough to be called open water. When frozen over, a polyna becomes an ice skylight from the point of view of the submariner. Also called BIG CLEARING, CLEARING, GLADE, ICE CLEARING, POOL, REGIONAL CLEARING. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
port A landing place provided with terminal and transfer facilities for loading and discharging cargo or passengers, usually located in a harbor. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
post A long relatively slender, and generally round piece of wood or other material. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
pump out facility A holding place where ship's bilges and cargo are pumped. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
pyramid An ancient structure having a broad base with sides narrowing towards the top. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
quicksand A bed of loose sand mixed with water forming a soft, shifting mass that yields easily to pressure. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
racetrack A course laid out for racing. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
radar dome A dome shaped structure used to protect the antenna of a radar installation. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
radar reflector A device capable of or intended for reflecting radar signals. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
railway A permanent way having one or more rails which provides a track for cars. SDTS POSC 2.1 current

ref_geographic_feature

. Go To Top
kind description source _reference source version status
railway yard An area provided with a system of tracks where railroad trains are made up and cars are switched, stored, or serviced. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
rapids An area of broken, fast flowing water in a stream, where the slope of the bed increases (but without a prominent break of slope which might result in a waterfall), or where a gently dipping bar of harder rock outcrops. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
reef A ridge of rocks, lying near the surface of the sea, which may be visible at low tide, but is usually covered by water. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
refueling track Airspace designated for conducting aerial refueling. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
reserve A tract of land set aside for a specific use. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
restricted area An area of air, land, or water in which travel or other activities are subject to specified conditions or constraints. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
revetment A facing, other than a wall, of stone, concrete, wood, etc., built to sustain an embankment. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
ridge A long and narrow upland with steep sides. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
ridge line The line separating drainage basins. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
rig Vertical structure fitted for drilling or lifting operations. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
road An open way for the passage of vehicles, persons, or animals on land. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
rock An isolated rocky formation or a single large stone, usually one constituting a danger to navigation. It may be always submerged, always uncovered, or alternately covered and uncovered by the tide. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
roundabout Area of water subject to a routing measure restricting ship movement to a counter-clockwise direction. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
runway A straight path used for landing, taxiing, and take-off of aircraft. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
salt pan An area of salt deposits. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
sea The great body of salt water of the oceans. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
seamount An elevation of the sea floor, 1000 m or higher, that remains covered by water.   POSC 2.1 current
shaft A long narrow passage sunk in the earth. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
shingle A collection of loose pebbles on the shore of the sea or a lake. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
shipyard A yard or area where ships are built or repaired. SDTS POSC 2.1 current

ref_geographic_feature

. Go To Top
kind description source _reference source version status
shore That part of the land in immediate contact with a body of water including the area between high and low water lines. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
shoreline The line of contact between a body of water and the land. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
sign A roadway associated feature which provides information to people passing. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
ski area An area used for skiing. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
ski jump A ramp used for ski jumping. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
snag A stem or trunk of a tree above or below the surface of the water. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
snowfield A region of permanent snow in mountainous areas or high latitudes. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
solar panel A unit of solar cells for converting sunlight into electrical energy or heat. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
sports field A field on which sporting activities are carried out. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
spring The place where water issues from the ground naturally. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
stadium Large often unroofed structure in which athletic events are held. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
stockyard An enclosed area in which livestock are temporarily kept. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
subcontinent A extensive land area composed of one or more countries that are of continent size.   POSC 2.1 current
swash The mass of broken foaming water which rushes bodily up a beach as a wave breaks. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
talus Slopes of broken rock debris on a mountainside. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
tank A structure used for the storage of fluids. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
tennis court A recreational area used for playing tennis. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
terrace A step-like feature between higher and lower ground: a relatively flat or gently inclined shelf of earth, backed and fronted by steep slopes or man-made retaining walls. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
tidal gauge An instrument for measuring the height of the tide. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
time zone A geographic region within which the same standard time is used. SDTS POSC 2.1 current

ref_geographic_feature

. Go To Top
kind description source _reference source version status
tower A tall framework or structure, the elevation of which is functional. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
traffic separation scheme Area of water with lanes designated to separate opposing streams of vessel traffic. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
tree A woody perennial plant, having a self-supporting main stem or trunk. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
trough A long depression of the sea floor. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
tundra A treeless area poleward or upward of the tree line of arctic or alpine regions, having a permanently frozen subsoil and supporting low-growing vegetation such as lichens, mosses, and stunted shrubs. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
tunnel An underground or underwater passage. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
turning basin A water area used for turning vessels. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
turntable A circular horizontal rotating platform equipped with a railway track, used for turning locomotives, as in a roundhouse. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
utility A linear distribution system consisting of pipelines, high tension wires, cables, etc., providing a public service and usually subject to government regulations. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
valley A long, narrow depression in the Earth's surface, usually with a fairly regular downslope. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
wall An upright structure of masonry, wood, plaster, or other building material serving to enclose, divide, or protect an area. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
watercourse A way or course through which water may or does flow. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
waterfall A sudden descent of water over a step or ledge in the bed of a river. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
water surface The water portion of the Earth's surface, including the surface of sea and inland waters. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
watering place A place other than a spring or well where vessels and vehicles replenish their water supply. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
well A pit or hole dug or bored into the earth, for the extraction of oil, water, other fluids or gases. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
wetland A vegetated area that is inundated or saturated by surface or groundwater. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
wharf A structure extending parallel to the shoreline so that vessels may lie close alongside to receive and discharge cargo. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
wind indicator A visual device used to provide wind information. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
windbreak A shelter, either natural (e.g., a line of trees or a thick hedge) or artificial (a screen), which breaks or interrupts the force of the wind. SDTS POSC 2.1 current

ref_geographic_feature

. Go To Top
kind description source _reference source version status
windmill A mill or other machine that runs on the energy generated by a wheel of adjustable blades or flats rotated by the wind. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
woodland Land having a cover of trees, shrubs, or both. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
wreck A wrecked vessel, either submerged or visible, which is attached to or foul of the bottom or cast up on the shore. SDTS POSC 2.1 current
zone of occupation An area, usually temporary, held and controlled by a foreign military force. SDTS POSC 2.1 current

Go To Top


© Copyright 1997 POSC. All rights reserved.