Science, Tech, Math › Science What Does Transportation Mean in Geology? Print Craig Aurness/Corbis/VCG / Getty Images Science Geology Types Of Rocks Landforms and Geologic Features Plate Tectonics Chemistry Biology Physics Astronomy Weather & Climate By Andrew Alden Andrew Alden Geology Expert B.A., Earth Sciences, University of New Hampshire Andrew Alden is a geologist based in Oakland, California. He works as a research guide for the U.S. Geological Survey. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on February 01, 2019 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. Read More What Is Erosion and How Does It Shape the Earth's Surface? By Andrew Alden 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 Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Alden, Andrew. "What Does Transportation Mean in Geology?" ThoughtCo, Aug. 28, 2020, thoughtco.com/transportation-definition-1440859. Alden, Andrew. (2020, August 28). What Does Transportation Mean in Geology? Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/transportation-definition-1440859 Alden, Andrew. "What Does Transportation Mean in Geology?" ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/transportation-definition-1440859 (accessed April 26, 2024). copy citation