On large alluvial fans, the _____ sediment is deposited near the mountains.
A) finest
B) clay
C) coarsest
D) quartz
E) best sorted

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Alluvial fans are formed by sediment deposition from a river as it leaves the relatively narrow, steep mountain valleys and enters the broader, flatter plains or basin. As the gradient of the stream decreases, it deposits sediment that has been transported from the mountains. The heaviest and coarsest particles, such as gravel and sand, are deposited closest to the mountains, forming the base of the fan, while the finest particles, such as clay, are carried further away from the mountains and deposited at the edge or beyond the fan. Therefore, the coarsest sediment is deposited near the mountains on large alluvial fans.

On Large Alluvial Fans, the _____ Sediment Is Deposited near the Mountains