Which outcome occurs when sediment-laden flows decelerate at a break in slope?

💡 Explanation

Alluvial fans form because a decrease in flow velocity causes sediment deposition. This is known as sediment transport capacity reduction; therefore, deposition occurs preferentially at slope breaks, which form fan shapes because the carrying capacity suddenly decreases, rather than remaining in suspension.

• Which mechanism limits the depth of wind-driven oceanic circulation?
• Which speleothem risk increases when groundwater acidity rises?
• Which phenomenon causes enhanced precipitation downwind of major mountain ranges in humid mid-latitude zones?
• Which outcome occurs when groynes impede drift alongshore?
• Which consequence results when intense weathering causes heightened leaching in coastal mangrove swamps?
• Which mechanism causes episodic draining of ice-dammed lakes during glacial retreat?