submarine fan

A submarine fan is a large underwater sediment deposit that forms on the seafloor at the base of continental slopes, often where rivers carry sediments into the deep ocean. These fans develop as sediments are transported by underwater currents and gravity, creating fan-shaped features similar to river deltas but beneath the ocean surface. They are important for understanding ocean geology and are also significant as potential reservoirs of oil and natural gas. Submarine fans can be extensive, covering vast areas, and their layered sediments record changes in climate, sea level, and sediment supply over time.