In geology, saltation (from Latin, saltus, "leap") refers to a bouncing-like motion when alluvium is dislodged from the streambed, travels in a parabolic path through the stream water, and then impacts back on to the bed. The impact of the falling sediment dislodges additional material that is sent in the down stream direction. This process repeats continually, gradually eroding away the river bed, but also transporting in fresh material from upstream.

Saltation also refers to the bouncing of sand over desert surfaces, soil over fields, or even snow over smooth surfaces such as those in the arctic or Canadian Prairies. At higher wind (or river) speeds, particles can be moved into individual eddies in the air or river, and then are described as being in suspension. This transition from saltation to suspension is thought to be a cause of turbidity in rivers.

Geological processes

Saltacja