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Geological Formations

Abyssal Fan

Sedimentary and Stratigraphic Formations

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An abyssal fan, also known as a deep sea fan, underwater delta, or submarine fan, is an underwater geological structure built up by large scale sediment deposition from turbidity currents. Abyssal fans can be thought of as the underwater counterpart of alluvial fans and vary enormously in size, from a few kilometers to several thousand kilometers across. The largest is the Bengal Fan, followed by the Indus Fan, with other major fans found off the mouths of the Amazon, Congo, and Mississippi rivers, among others.

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