Sediment is a naturally occurring material that is broken down by processes of weathering and erosion, and is subsequently transported by the action of wind, water, or ice or by the force of gravity acting on the particles.

Where do sediments originate?

As defined earlier – sediment is the collection of particles that can be carried away by wind, water and ice. These particles can come from the weathering of rocks and the erosion of surface materials 19. When wind, rain, glaciers and other elements scour away a rock face, the particles are carried away as sediment 10.

What is it called where sediment builds up?

Deposition is the geological process in which sediments, soil and rocks are added to a landform or landmass. Wind, ice, water, and gravity transport previously weathered surface material, which, at the loss of enough kinetic energy in the fluid, is deposited, building up layers of sediment.