Alluvial Fan

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ENV-001137",
  "term": "Alluvial Fan",
  "field": "Environment",
  "definition": "1. A landscape feature whose surface is shaped like an open fan or a segment of a cone and is formed by the accumulation of sediment and organic material deposited by flowing water.\n\n2. A fan-shaped pile of sediment that forms where a rapidly flowing mountain stream enters a relatively flat valley. As water slows down, it deposits sediment (alluvium) that gradually builds a fan.\n\n3. A low, outspread, relatively flat (or gently sloping) mass of loose rock material, shaped like an open fan or a segment of a cone. The rock material was deposited by flowing water where it issues from a narrow valley or where the gradient abruptly changes. Alluvial fans are usually steeper than the surrounding surface.",
  "synonyms": [
    "Fan"
  ],
  "subject": "Water",
  "references": [
    "Watershed Protection Glossary",
    "USGS Geology in the Parks Glossary",
    "Federal Geographic Data Committee Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard, June 2012 FGDC-STD-018-2012"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/environment/alluvial-fan/"
}