What Does Transportation Mean in Geology?

Transportation is the movement of material across the Earth's surface by water, wind, ice or gravity. It includes the physical processes of traction (dragging), suspension (being carried) and saltation (bouncing) and the chemical process of solution.

During transportation, water preferentially carries away small particles in the process called washing. Wind does the same in the process called winnowing. The material not carried away may be left behind as a lag deposit or a pavement.

Transportation and weathering are the two phases of erosion. Mass wasting is usually considered separately from transportation.

Also Known As: Transport