Which process limits the downstream extent of an alluvial fan in a confined valley?

💡 Explanation

When flows reach the alluvial fan's distal edge, sediment sorting via hydrodynamics occurs because diminishing flow velocity causes coarser material to deposit closer to the fan apex, and finer particles are transported further downstream, resulting in termination of coarse fan sediments. Therefore, sediment sorting limits extent, rather than uplift, stabilization, or incision, all requiring different controlling factors.

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