The concept and characteristics of fluvial fan are elucidated through literature review and case analysis. Firstly, the concept and terminology of fluvial fan are introduced. Secondly, the progress and controversy on the formation mechanism, analysis methods and sedimentary models of fluvial fan are elaborated, and fluvial fan is compared with alluvial fan, river and lacustrine delta. Finally, ten identification signs of the fluvial fan are proposed. It is found through the study that development and scale of fluvial fan are affected by external factors such as climate, tectonic, provenance and wind field. The facies and lithofacies association inside the fan are controlled by the activity of the internal channel. It is pointed that fluvial fans are widely distributed in the world not only today but also in the geological history. The occurrence of fluvial fan will change the traditional continental deposition system dominated by alluvial fan-river-lacustrine. Meanwhile, the research of fluvial fan will be of great significance in the fields of sedimentology and oil and gas exploration.

通过文献复习和案例分析，阐明了河扇的概念和特征。首先介绍了河扇的概念和术语。其次，阐述了河流扇的形成机理，分析方法和沉积模型的研究进展和存在的争议，并将河流扇与冲积扇，河流三角洲和湖相三角洲进行了比较。最后，提出了十个流扇的识别标志。通过研究发现，河扇的发育和规模受气候，构造，物源和风场等外部因素的影响。风扇内部的相和岩相联系受内部通道的活动控制。要指出的是，河扇不仅在当今世界而且在地质历史上都广泛分布。河流扇的发生将改变以冲积扇-河-湖泊为主的传统大陆沉积体系。同时，河流扇的研究在沉积学和油气勘探领域具有重要意义。