What is the term for the process by which wind, water, ice, or gravity transports soil and sediment from one location to another?

The process by which wind, water, ice, or gravity moves soil and sediment from one location to another is known as erosion. Erosion involves the removal of material from the Earth's surface through the actions of these natural forces. For example, running water can wash away soil on a hillside, while wind can carry sand from one place to another, reshaping landscapes over time.

It's important to differentiate erosion from other related terms. While deposition refers specifically to the process of sediment being laid down in a new location after being transported, erosion is the initial movement of that sediment. Weathering involves the breaking down of rocks and minerals into smaller particles due to various factors, typically without movement, while transportation generally refers to the conveyance of particles; however, erosion specifically includes the process of removing them from their original location, making erosion the most accurate term in this context.