View source for Minecraft:Terrain features

{{redirect|Terrain|the old image file used to load block textures|terrain.png}}
{{About|specific terrain generation features|features generated after terrain generation|Feature|general information about terrain generation|World generation}}
{{split|reason=Modularize the page similar to [[Minecraft:Features]]; see talk page for details|discussAnchor=Split Erosions into its own page}}

This page lists generated '''terrain features''' that are created as part of the [[Minecraft:world generation]].

== Overworld ==
=== Hill ===
{{for|the biome|Windswept Hills}}

Hills can contain extreme slopes, cliffs, and [[Minecraft:cave]]s. On an [[Minecraft:amplified]] world, hills are extremely common in all biomes except [[Minecraft:ocean]]s.

<gallery widths="200px">
Mountain Biome.png|A Windswept Hills biome.
OverhangMountain.png|A large overhang occasionally found in Windswept Hills biomes.
Yoshismountain.png|A Windswept Hills overhang with a floating island.
</gallery>

=== Mountain ===
{{Main|Mountains}}
Mountains are high elevation terrain that have jagged peaks and higher land.

=== Cliff ===
Cliffs are steep vertical slopes that can sometimes generate beside an ocean or a big lake. 

<gallery widths="200px">
Cliff 1.png|A frozen cliff.
Taiga Cliff.png
Taiga Cliff 2.png
Cliff 2.png
Crater Cliff.png|A cliff shaped like a crater.
</gallery>

=== Fjord ===
{{Redirect|Fjord|the mission in minecraft dungeons|Dungeons:Frosted Fjord}}
Fjords happen when rivers cut through high-medium elevation terrain. Rivers are deeper here than usual.

<gallery widths="200px">
1.18 experimental snapshot 4 reddit.png|A badlands fjord.
Fjord 2.png
Fjord 1.png
</gallery>

=== Floating island ===
Floating islands are structures that float in mid-air. Floating islands are normally just small chunks of floating [[Minecraft:dirt]] and [[Minecraft:stone]] found near cliffs, but on rare occasions they can be large structures that even have springs and [[Minecraft:tree]]s on them. Floating islands are most frequently found in [[Minecraft:windswept hills]] biomes and their variants, as well as [[Minecraft:windswept savanna]]s.

<gallery widths="200">
Small floating island.png|A small floating island.
LargeFloatingIsland.png|It is rarer to see large floating islands, especially those with natural features such as trees.
Minecraft floating island.png|A cluster of large floating islands.
Floating Land.png|A small but tall floating island with water flowing down from it.
Float.png|A floating island in a forest biome with a few trees growing on it.
Oak on floating island.png|A tree on a snowy floating island.
Large floating islands with trees.jpg|A large floating island with trees in the distance
Birch floating island.png|A large floating island with birch trees
</gallery>

=== Noise cave ===
{{main|Cave#Noise_caves}}

Noise caves are generated using a noise. They come in the form of cheese caves, spaghetti caves, and noodle caves. By adjusting noise frequency, hollowness (for cheese caves), and thickness (for spaghetti caves, noodle caves, and noise pillars), noise caves can vary in extremely diverse ways. When generating noise caves, the game firstly generates a random noise field, and "smudges" it using a mathematical trick called Perlin noise. These processes then result in a 3D noise image. Noise pillars also generate inside cave blobs.

Noise caves are a part of the base terrain generation, and so do not intersect generated structures or mineral deposits. They are typically decorated with biome-specific features and decoration such as grass, sand, snow, or trees at higher y-levels, or dripstone pillars or clay deltas at lower y-levels. This is important, as cave noise is dually used to generate important Overworld terrain features such as overhangs or floating islands on the surface.

=== Surface ===
<!-- Not exactly a 'surface' feature, but bedrock is added here-->

==== Surface layer ====
The uppermost layers of the terrain are converted to a biome-dependent material: usually grass blocks and dirt, or sand in deserts and beaches. Podzol is found in giant tree taiga, mycelium in mushroom field biomes, and red sand is found in the badlands biome. Sandstone is generated under the sand.

==== Erosion ====
{{main|Erosion}}
In older versions of Minecraft, instead of being converted to dirt or sand, the top layer is stripped away, leaving an 'erosion' (aka. 'basin') of bare [[Minecraft:stone]]. Commonly, minerals can be found in these, generally [[Minecraft:coal ore]] and [[Minecraft:iron ore]]. If generated in a Badlands biome, [[Minecraft:gold ore]] can also be seen. Erosions appear in all dimensions. Due to a bug, this no longer occurs except in frozen oceans.

<gallery widths="200">
Erosion in forest.png|A naturally generated erosion.
Desert erosion.png|A desert erosion.
Taiga erosion new.png|A taiga erosion.
Tundra erosion new.png|A snow-covered tundra erosion.
</gallery>

==== Strip ====
{{redirect|Strip|the mechanic used by [[Minecraft:axe]]s|Axe#Stripping and scraping}}
Strips are long stretches of blocks in certain biomes that replace the typical surface materials in these biomes. They can occur in [[Minecraft:stony shore]] biomes as strips of [[Minecraft:gravel]], in [[Minecraft:stony peaks]] biomes as strips of [[Minecraft:calcite]], in [[Minecraft:frozen peaks]] biomes as strips of [[Minecraft:packed ice]], as well as in [[Minecraft:grove]] and [[Minecraft:snowy slopes]] biomes as strips of [[Minecraft:powder snow]].

<gallery widths="200">
Stony Peaks 1.18.png|A strip of calcite in a stony peaks biome.
GravelStrip.png|A strip of gravel in a stony shore biome.
</gallery>

==== Hoodoo ====
Hoodoos are tall spike-like structures found in badlands, consisting of six colors of terracotta. While this structure is found exclusively in [[Minecraft:eroded badlands]], all badlands biomes actually have this structure, but set to false except for eroded badlands and can occasionally pass altitude layer 100.

<gallery widths="200px">
Bryce Pillars Eroded Mesa.png|Hoodoos in an eroded badlands biome.
Mesa bryce.png|Hoodoos in a Mesa Bryce biome in an older version of Minecraft.
Bryce pillar.png|Hoodoo render.
</gallery>

==== Iceberg ====
{{about|a terrain feature known as iceberg|a feature called iceberg|Iceberg (feature)}}
A '''large iceberg''' is a large terrain feature composed of [[Minecraft:packed ice]] and [[Minecraft:snow block]]s. There is also a smaller feature known as a [[Minecraft:Iceberg (feature)|cone iceberg]].

Large icebergs generate in [[Minecraft:frozen ocean]]s and [[Minecraft:deep frozen ocean]]s. They consist of [[Minecraft:packed ice]], and can be topped with snow blocks. Icebergs generate in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, ranging from small islands to giant mountain-like icebergs. They can also generate with cave-like holes (these might be related to the [[Minecraft:Iceberg (feature)#Carved|carved recesses]] in cone icebergs) {{Info needed}} in them, which sometimes pass through to the other side of the iceberg.

There are often [[Minecraft:Iceberg (feature)#Blue ice feature|blue ice feature]]s attached to them.

<gallery>
Icebergs biome.jpg|The first screenshot of icebergs.
Iceberg-18w15a.png|A group of naturally generated icebergs.
Aerial frozen ocean view.png|An aerial view of a frozen ocean with icebergs.
Iceberg from below.png|An iceberg viewed from below.
Icevillage.png|A village close to some icebergs.
Small IceCave.png|A cave inside an iceberg.
</gallery>

=== Carvers ===
* [[Minecraft:Carver cave]]s – narrow, winding tunnels found underground in the Overworld and the Nether.
* [[Minecraft:Canyon]]s – deep fissures that run through the ground.

=== Others ===
* [[Minecraft:Ore vein]] – a large, branching network of [[Minecraft:ore]] and [[Minecraft:rock]].

== The Nether ==
=== Lava sea ===
Lava seas are found at and below [[Minecraft:altitude|y-level 31]] in the Nether. They make a large portion of the Nether and are extremely common. They can stretch for hundreds of blocks in any direction, and are usually bordered by [[Minecraft:netherrack]], or occasionally [[Minecraft:soul sand]], [[Minecraft:gravel]], and/or [[Minecraft:magma block]]s. [[Minecraft:Strider]]s can spawn in lava seas.

Unlike with [[Minecraft:Overworld]] oceans, lava seas are not handled as a biome.<ref>{{bug|MC-177716||Lava oceans in the Nether are not handled as a biome, unlike with the Overworld|Invalid}}</ref>

<gallery widths="200">
File:Lava sea.png|The lava sea
File:Swimming Ghasts.jpg|A few [[Minecraft:ghast]]s swimming in a lava sea
File:Under lava sea.png|Under the lava sea in [[Minecraft:Spectator]] mode
</gallery>

=== Nether erosions ===
{{main|Erosion#The Nether}}
In the Nether, erosions generate the same size and shape as they do in the Overworld. Unlike their Overworld counterparts, however, Nether erosions replace the ground with [[Minecraft:netherrack]] instead of stone. Nether erosions can also expose ores, mainly [[Minecraft:Nether quartz ore]] and [[Minecraft:Nether gold ore]].

Notably, erosions generate independent of the y-coordinate; if an erosion generates in an overhang in the Nether, an identical erosion is guaranteed to generate at the exact same x and z coordinates on the ground below such an overhang.

<gallery widths="200">
Crimson Forest erosion.png|An erosion in a [[Minecraft:crimson forest]], exposing Nether quartz ore blob.
Nether Wastes erosion.png|An erosion in a [[Minecraft:Nether wastes]].
</gallery>

== The End ==
=== Central island ===
The center of the End is a large, asteroid-like island composed entirely of [[Minecraft:End stone]], floating in the void. It features the [[Minecraft:exit portal]] in the center, surrounded by 10 [[Minecraft:End spike]]s in a circle. The island is home to the [[Minecraft:ender dragon]], and serves as the arena where it is fought.

At a distance of 1000 blocks away, an endless expanse of additional islands begins, away from the main island. These consist of large islands, about the size of the main island, and smaller ones, which are usually thin and small.

<gallery widths="200px">
TheEnd.png|Central island with many endermen.
</gallery>

=== Outer islands ===
The outer End islands are found 1000 blocks away from the central island. They vary in size from large islands to smaller "mini islands". Generated structures such as [[Minecraft:End City|End cities]] and [[Minecraft:End City#End ship|End ship]]s spawn here, along with [[Minecraft:chorus tree]]s and erosions. The player can be taken to the End islands through the [[Minecraft:End gateway]].

<gallery widths="200px">
ChorusFields.png|Outer islands with chorus trees.
</gallery>

=== Obsidian platform ===
{{main|Obsidian platform}}
The obsidian platform is a square of obsidian that generates when an entity enters [[Minecraft:the End]].

=== End erosions ===
{{main|Erosion#The End}}
Erosions generate in the End as they would in the Overworld and the Nether but they never expose any ores. End erosions may generate on both the central island and outer islands, and [[Minecraft:chorus tree]]s can occasionally take root in the erosions.

<gallery widths="200">
End erosion.png|An erosion generated on an outer End island.
</gallery>

== History ==
{{cleanup|section=1|move features to [[Minecraft:Feature]]}}
{{Update|section=1|Add all 1.17-1.21 terrain feature}}

=== ''Java Edition'' ===
{{HistoryTable
|{{HistoryLine|java pre-classic}}
|{{HistoryLine||Cave game tech test|link=Cave game tech test|Development on "[[Minecraft:Cave Game]]" started; caverns added.}}
|{{HistoryLine|java classic}}
|{{HistoryLine||0.0.12a|Added ocean around map.}}
|{{HistoryLine||0.0.14a|Added trees. At this point they were simply stumps covered with a thin leaf layer.}}
|{{HistoryLine||0.0.15a (Multiplayer Test 1)|Trees have a new shape.}}
|{{HistoryLine||August 25, 2009|link=wordofnotch:170887079|Video uploaded showing changed cavern generation; longer and narrower caverns, and bigger caves the deeper you travel.
|Surface lava lakes shown to be possible but unlikely, despite existing as early as 0.0.12a_03.}}
|{{HistoryLine|java infdev}}
|{{HistoryLine||20100227-1414|Temporarily removed caves, trees and ores to test basic infinite world functionality.}}
|{{HistoryLine||20100320|Re-added trees and ores.}}
|{{HistoryLine||20100325-1545|Re-added caves.
|Redid mineral blobs.}}
|{{HistoryLine||20100327|Caves are removed again.}}
|{{HistoryLine||20100616-1808|Caves are now again implemented.}}
|{{HistoryLine|java alpha}}
|{{HistoryLine||v1.0.1|Caves can now be far bigger and more expansive.}}
|{{HistoryLine||v1.2.0|dev=preview|Added the Nether but not all Nether-related generated structures.}}
|{{HistoryLine||v1.2.6|Added small lakes and rare lava pools, both on the surface and randomly in caves.}}
|{{HistoryLine|java beta}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.8|dev=Pre-release|Added huge mushrooms.
|Added river biomes and vast oceans.
|Sand and gravel beaches removed due to the changes in the terrain generation algorithm.}}
|{{HistoryLine|java}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.0.0|dev=Beta 1.9 Prerelease 4|Added [[Minecraft:the End]] and End-related main island generated structures, including the End island, the obsidian platform, the [[Minecraft:End spike]]s and the exit portal.}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.1|dev=12w01a|Sand beaches have made a return, but the way they look and generate are not the same as before.}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.2.1|dev=12w07a|The generation of beaches has been greatly improved.}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.6.1|dev=13w17a|Water oases no longer generate in deserts.}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.7.2|dev=13w36a|Gravel beaches have been returned to the terrain.
|Mountains now generate as part of the "M" biome variants.
|The desert oases appear in the desert M biome.
|Moss stone boulders were added.}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.9|dev=15w31a|Added the outer islands of the End.
|Added [[Minecraft:chorus tree]]s.
|Added the [[Minecraft:End gateway]] portal.}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.13|dev=18w08a|Caves and canyons can now generate underwater.|Frozen Ocean have made a return, but without [[Minecraft:customized]], they look and generate, but are not the same [[Minecraft:Java Edition unused features|unused]].}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=18w10d|Added coral reefs.}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=18w15a|Added icebergs.}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.16|dev=20w06a|Added basalt pillars.}}
}}

=== ''Bedrock Edition'' ===
{{HistoryTable
|{{HistoryLine|pocket alpha}}
|{{HistoryLine||v0.1.0|Added sand and gravel beaches, oceans, frozen oceans, cliffs, mountains, erosions, blobs, springs, and trees.}}
|{{HistoryLine||v0.9.0|dev=build 1|Added caves, lava pools, rivers, huge mushrooms, moss stone boulders, ice patches, and ice spikes.
|Frozen oceans no longer generate.
|Removed gravel beaches.}}
|{{HistoryLine||v0.12.1|dev=build 1|Added the Nether, along with lava oceans, glowstone clusters, soul sand beaches, hidden lava, gravel beaches, and Nether quartz blobs.}}
|{{HistoryLine|pocket}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.0.0|dev=alpha 0.17.0.1|Added the End and End-related generated structures, including the End islands, the obsidian platform, the obsidian towers, the End fountain, End cities, End gateways, and chorus trees.}}
|{{HistoryLine|bedrock}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.2.0|dev=beta 1.2.0.2|Added ravines.}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.4.0|dev=beta 1.2.14.2|Added icebergs.
|Added coral reefs.
|Ravines can now generate underwater.
|Frozen oceans have made a return, but the way they look and generate are not the same as before<!--because Its different biome than its legacy version-->.}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=beta 1.2.20.1|Caves can now generate underwater.}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.16.0|dev=beta 1.16.0.51|Added basalt pillars.}}
}}

=== Legacy Console Edition ===
{{HistoryTable
|{{HistoryLine|console}}
|{{HistoryLine||xbox=TU5|xbone=CU1|ps3=1.00|psvita=1.00|ps4=1.00|wiiu=Patch 1|switch=1.0.1|Added ravines.
|Sand and gravel beaches removed due to the changes in the terrain generation algorithm.}}
|{{HistoryLine||xbox=TU9|Added the End along with End-related structures such as the End island, the obsidian platform, the obsidian towers, and the End fountain.
|Sand beaches have made a return, but the way they look and generate is not the same as before.}}
|{{HistoryLine||xbox=TU19|xbone=CU7|ps3=1.12|psvita=1.12|ps4=1.12|Water oases no longer generate in deserts.}}
|{{HistoryLine||xbox=TU46|xbone=CU36|ps3=1.38|psvita=1.38|ps4=1.38|wiiu=Patch 15|switch=1.0.1|Added the outer islands of the End.|Added [[Minecraft:chorus tree]]s.|Added the [[Minecraft:End gateway]] portal.}}
|{{HistoryLine||xbox=TU69|xbone=none|ps3=1.76|psvita=1.76|ps4=1.76|wiiu=Patch 38|switch=none|Added coral reefs and underwater caves and ravines.}}
}}

=== ''New Nintendo 3DS Edition'' ===
{{HistoryTable
|{{HistoryLine|New3ds}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.7.10|Added [[Minecraft:chorus tree]]s.}}
}}

==Issues==
{{Issue list}}

== Videos ==
<div style="text-align:center">
{{yt|0oKDHWIJQ2A|align=inline}}
{{yt|hHqavGsAUoA|align=inline}}
{{yt|eTgUJaTA0Gc|align=inline}}
{{yt|BL5pLKDTafQ|align=inline}}
{{yt|G4eRpIDxcWo|align=inline}}
{{yt|jnV7ZotPt7E|align=inline}}
{{yt|QICjosAFKT8|align=inline}}
</div>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== Navigation ==
{{Navbox terrain features}}
{{Navbox environment}}

[[Category:Terrain features]]
[[Category:Structures]]

[[Minecraft:de:Landschaftsmerkmal]]
[[Minecraft:es:Características de terreno]]
[[Minecraft:fr:Caractéristiques du terrain]]
[[Minecraft:ja:地形の特性]]
[[Minecraft:lzh:地貌]]
[[Minecraft:pt:Recursos do terreno]]
[[Minecraft:ru:Особенности рельефа]]
[[Minecraft:uk:Об'єкти рельєфу]]
[[Minecraft:zh:地形特征]]