An abyssal fan is a large, fan-shaped underwater landform found on the ocean floor, typically located at the base of a continental slope. These features are formed by the accumulation of sediments that have been transported by turbidity currents—underwater flows of sediment-laden water that occur when sediment becomes destabilized and flows down the continental slope. Abyssal fans are characterized by their broad, gently sloping profiles and can cover areas that range from several tens to hundreds of kilometers in length.
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