Alluvial Fan, Iran

Click on Image to Enlarge  (JPG) Alluvial Fan, Iran (558,130 bytes) ( 1,785 x 1,630 )

In the Zagros Mountains of Iran, rainwater is scarce, and villagers rely on subterranean water supplies for irrigation. The ephemeral streams exiting the steep mountain fronts form large semi-circular alluvial fans, where the water moves through the subsurface towards the flat desert plains. At the interface between the two, the water is forced closer to the surface, and is more easily accessible from wells. The image covers an area of 24.4 x 26.8 km, was acquired on October 12, 2004, and is located at 28.9 degrees north latitude, 54.9 degrees east longitude. Thanks to Rebecca Abrams for suggesting this image.

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Alluvial Fan, Iran Type: (JPG) Size: (558,130 bytes) Resolution ( 1,785 x 1,630 )