Fluvial Megafans on Earth and Mars

Megafans are large river sediment cones that have been mapped globally, covering vast landscapes on most continents. This book provides a new inventory of nearly 300 megafans across five continents, discussing their morphological attributes, controls on development, and applications to economic geology, aquifers, and planetary geology.

Format: Hardback
Length: 500 pages
Publication date: 18 May 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Megafans, remarkable structures formed by the accumulation of river sediment, exhibit astounding dimensions, with the largest recorded on Earth spanning an impressive length of 700 kilometers. Recent advancements in space-based observations have revealed that modern megafan features cover vast expanses across most continents. In response, this comprehensive book presents a fresh inventory of nearly 300 megafans spanning five continents. The chapters delve into regional studies of megafans from all continents, excluding North America and Antarctica. The book explores the major morphological characteristics of megafans and multi-megafan landscapes, shedding light on the principal factors that govern their development. It also compares megafans with other sedimentological structures such as alluvial fans, deltas, floodplains, and the recently recognized major avulsive fluvial system (MAFS). The final section of the book delves into the practical applications of megafan research, encompassing economic geology, aquifers, and planetary geology, including the exploration of layered deposits on Mars. This invaluable resource serves as a valuable reference for researchers in geomorphology, sedimentology, and physical geography.

ISBN-13: 9781108423373