Google Maps appears to be promoting coastline features and bodies of water above major cities in its terrain view. Far enough out, you will see harbours and banks; further in the usual littering of cities takes over.
Interesting for the fact somebody has clearly decided this is a better way to help people navigate in this view – maps and satellite views both continue to show cities at all zoom levels.
Separately, while coverage of Street View in the UK continues to grow (large chunk of north-west Scotland, and more motorways), I’m wondering when they’ll get round to adding the photos presumably taken while the cars were in Fareham and Petersfield summer last year…