Which process involves the laying down of sediment in new locations?

The process that involves the laying down of sediment in new locations is deposition. Deposition occurs when material transported by wind, water, or ice settles in a new area, creating layers of sediment. This happens when the energy of the transporting medium decreases, allowing sediments to settle out of the flow. For instance, when a river slows as it enters a lake or ocean, the sediment it was carrying drops to the bottom, forming new layers of sediment.

In contrast, erosion refers to the process by which rock and soil are removed from one location and transported to another, while weathering is the breakdown of rocks into smaller pieces without the movement of those materials. Infiltration pertains to the process of water soaking into the ground, which is unrelated to the movement and settlement of sediments.