Bengal Fan sediment deposits illustrate Himalayan erosion

The slow geologic process of mountain formation and erosion results in massive sediment deposits on the ocean floor. The Bengal Fan, located offshore from India and Bangladesh, serves as a primary example. This enormous sediment structure spans three million square kilometers and reaches a thickness of 16.5 km.

The formation of the Himalayan mountain range, caused by the movement of the Indian plate into Asia, drives this process. Over time, wind, ice, and water wear down the mountains, carrying remnants through the Ganges and Brahmaputra river systems into the Bay of Bengal. The seafloor in this region features underwater river channels that can exceed 200km in length, creating meandering patterns similar to terrestrial rivers.