Üledékkeringés

Üledékkeringés refers to the geological process of sediment transport and deposition. It is a fundamental component of the rock cycle, involving the movement of fragmented rock, mineral grains, and organic matter from one location to another. This transport is primarily driven by natural agents such as water, wind, ice, and gravity. Rivers carry sediment downstream, wind picks up and deposits sand dunes, glaciers erode and transport vast amounts of rock debris, and gravity causes landslides and rockfalls.

Upon reaching a depositional environment, such as oceans, lakes, riverbeds, or deltas, these transported materials settle out of the transporting medium. This settling process is known as deposition. The characteristics of the deposited sediment, including its size, shape, and sorting, are influenced by the energy of the transporting agent and the properties of the depositional basin. Over geological time, accumulated layers of sediment can become compacted and cemented through a process called lithification, ultimately forming sedimentary rocks. Understanding üledékkeringés is crucial for interpreting Earth's history, locating natural resources like fossil fuels and mineral deposits, and assessing geological hazards.