Depositions

Deposition is a term used in several disciplines with related but distinct meanings. In law, a deposition is sworn testimony given outside of court, usually during the discovery phase of a case. It is recorded by a court reporter and may be used to impeach a witness or as evidence if the witness cannot testify at trial. The process generally involves notice to the parties, examination by an attorney, and cross-examination, with objections governed by procedural rules. Depositions can be taken in person or by remote means, and transcripts are typically certified.

In geology and geomorphology, deposition refers to the settling of sediment or dissolved minerals from suspension or solution, resulting in the accumulation of material in a new location. Deposition occurs when the transporting medium loses energy, or when groundwater or ice deposits minerals. The deposited material may lithify into sedimentary rock over long timescales. Environments such as rivers, deltas, lakes, and oceans exhibit characteristic deposition patterns.

In materials science and engineering, deposition denotes the addition of material onto a substrate, forming a thin film or coating. Techniques include chemical vapor deposition (CVD), physical vapor deposition (PVD), electroplating, and atomic layer deposition (ALD). Deposition is influenced by temperature, pressure, precursor or source material, and substrate properties, and is central to semiconductor fabrication, protective coatings, and optical applications.

Across disciplines, deposition is contrasted with erosion, transport, or dissolution. The specific definitions and procedures differ by field, but the core idea is the accumulation of material or sworn testimony after collection and preservation.