What is the Difference Between Creep Saltation and Suspension

The main difference between creep saltation and suspension is the type of particles involved in them. Creep is a geological process where heavy particles in soil are moved by wind erosion, and saltation is a geological process where fine particles are moved by wind erosion. On the other hand, suspension is a geological process in which dirt and dust particles are moved by wind erosion.

Wind erosion is a geological process where erosion takes place due to the effect of wind. It is a serious problem in the environment because it can damage vegetation by removing soil or depositing soil. Therefore, wind erosion causes soil loss, dryness, deterioration of soil structure, nutrient and productivity loss of soil, and air pollution. Wind erosion can move dust particles, fine particles, as well as heavy particles.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Creep
     – Definition, Features
2. What is Saltation
     – Definition, Features
3. What is Suspension
     – Definition, Features
4. What is the Difference Between Creep Saltation and Suspension
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Creep, Saltation, Suspension

What is Creep

Creep is a type of wind erosion which includes the movement of heavy soil particles from one place to another due to the action of wind. However, large soil particles are too heavy to be lifted to air; these soil particles are moved through the wind as a surface process. Therefore, we call this process surface creep.

Figure 1: Wind Erosion

Generally, this process involves the rolling of large particles across the surface after coming into contact with the soil particles in the saltation process.

What is Saltation

Saltation is a type of wind erosion which includes the movement of fine soil particles from one place to another due to the action of wind. The majority of soil particles in an area are moved through this saltation process. The fine particles can be lifted to the air by wind, and they are then drifted horizontally across the surface of the soil.

Figure 2: Creep, Saltation and Suspension

In saltation, the soil particles move in a velocity that increases with the time. This means an acceleration in the speed of soil particle occurs during saltation process. Saltation can cause severe damages to crop and other vegetation on the soil surface. Typically, fine particles are moved four times longer in distance, compared to their height from the ground.

What is Suspension

Suspension is a type of wind erosion that involves the movement of dirt and dust particles through the wind. This process involves very small particles that readily lift into the wind. These particles can be lifted to the air either through the impact of other particles or by the wind itself. When these particles are lifted to air, the wind can carry them to extreme heights and very long distances.

Difference Between Creep Saltation and Suspension

Definition

Creep is a type of wind erosion that involves the movement of heavy soil particles from one place to another due to the action of wind. Saltation is a type of wind erosion that involves the movement of fine soil particles from one place to another due to the action of wind while suspension is a type of wind erosion that involves the movement of dirt and dust particles through the wind.

Particle Size

Creep involves heavy particles while saltation involves fine particles and suspension involves very small dirt and dust particles. 

Movement

Creep involves short distances while saltation involves long distances and suspension involves very long distances.

Particles in Air

While creep moves particles mostly on the surface of soil rather than in air, suspension readily lifts particles to the air. In saltation, particles can be lifted to the air by the wind or particle collision. 

Conclusion

Wind erosion is a geological process where erosion takes place due to the effect of wind. There are three types of wind erosion as creep, saltation, and suspension. The main difference between creep saltation and suspension is that creep involves the movement of heavy particles and saltation involves the movement of fine particles, whereas suspension involves the movement of dirt and dust particles.

Reference:

1. “Wind Erosion.” The National Soil Erosion Research Laboratory, Available here.
2. “Wind Erosion.” Eschooltoday, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Transportation by wind” By Po ke jung – Own work (CC BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “KelsoSand” By Wilson44691 at en.wikipedia – Photograph taken by Mark A. Wilson (Department of Geology, The College of Wooster). (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia