A sediment laid down by glacial meltwater is called an outwash plain. Outwash plains are formed when meltwater from a glacier flows away from the glacier and deposits sediment on the land surface. The sediment is typically sand and gravel, and it is often deposited in a fan-shaped area. Outwash plains can be found in front of glaciers, and they can also be found in valleys and other areas where meltwater flows away from a glacier.