Sometimes.
Alluvial fans can be classified as a continuum ranging between Debris-Flow Fans to Streamflow Fans. Debris -Flow Fans will not have braided rivers as they are primarily formed by mass movement, most often in arid or semiarid regions. Streamflow fans may very well have a braided stream or river flowing across the surface. Another gradation of alluvial fans is from Streamflow Fan to Braidplain Fan to Sheetflood Fan, depending on the size and textural consistency of the sediment supply. Sheetflood fans tend to have unconfined flow and may be ephemeral, while Streamflow Fans have confined flows and are typically perennial.
Alluvial fans are most commonly found in arid or semi-arid regions but examples can be found in any climate zone. Climate tends to control the type and gradient of the fan, and will determine if a braided river exists or if there is only mass movement and sporadic streamflow.
Some good photos of alluvial fans are at:
http://www.uoregon.edu/~millerm/fan.html
2007-03-29 13:14:38
·
answer #1
·
answered by carbonates 7
·
0⤊
0⤋
Yes, it seems braided rivers are common on alluvial fans. There's a nice picture and caption near the bottom of this page:
http://www.arthistoryclub.com/art_history/Braided
2007-03-29 11:55:35
·
answer #2
·
answered by ecolink 7
·
0⤊
0⤋
No, braided rivers cause alluvial fans. Rivers are the transport mechanism and the alluvial fan is the depositional environment.
2007-03-29 11:55:13
·
answer #3
·
answered by Professor Kitty 6
·
0⤊
1⤋