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. Geology (from Greek γη- (ge-, the earth) and λογος (logos, word, reason)) is the science and study of the Earth, its composition, structure, physical properties, history and the processes that shape it. ... Latin is an ancient Indo-European language originally spoken in the region around Rome called Latium. ... Alluvium is soil land deposited by a river or other running water. ...

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 Praries. 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. For other uses, see Sand (disambiguation). ... Soil is material capable of supporting plant life. ... Snow is precipitation in the form of crystalline water ice, consisting of a multitude of snowflakes. ... Suspension may refer to: suspension (chemistry) suspension bridge suspension (music) suspension (vehicle) (system of shock absorbers and supports that connect a vehicle to its wheels) suspension (civil engineering) (system that connects a structure to its foundation, for example in earthquake protection) suspension (topology) suspension (body modification) suspension bondage suspension (figure... Turbidity standards of 10, 100, and 1000 NTU Turbidity is a cloudiness or haziness of water (or other liquid) caused by individual particles that are too small to be seen without magnification, thus being much like smoke in air. ...