Transportation – The movement of eroded material by suspension, solution, traction and saltation caused by longshore drift

The transportation of material along the coast is caused by longshore drift.

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

He transported (transportation) the long shorts (caused by longshore drift).

Although longshore drift is the main process of transportation, the material moves in four different ways.

Suspension: Fine, light material is carried by the sea water.

Solution: Minerals like chalk and limestone are dissolved into the sea water and are then carried along the coastline and away into the deep sea. You cannot even see them moving away.

Traction: Larger rocks are rolled along the sea bed.

Saltation: Small pebbles and stones are bounced along the sea bed or against cliff faces.

To remember that transportation moves material in four ways – suspension, solution, traction and saltation – recall the following:

Transport (transportation) was the solution (solution) to moving the large suspenders (suspension) so a tractor (traction) was used, but they had to salt (saltation) the roads first.