Saltation – Particles bouncing along the sea bed (bouncing is the important word)

To remember the meaning of the term Saltation, use the following mnemonic:

Too much salt was killing the nation (saltation), so the government ordered all salt pots to be bounced into the sea.

Saltation occurs when water flow – waves or current – is sufficient to repeatedly lift particles from the seabed, bouncing them along.

Over time, saltation can result in large deposits of sand and shingle – it is one of the ways in which beaches are formed.