What is the term for materials that are carried by natural forces such as ice, wind, water, and gravity?

The term for materials that are moved from one location to another by natural forces such as ice, wind, water, and gravity is "transported materials." This classification refers specifically to sediments or soil that have been eroded from their source and carried away by these natural agents.

Transported materials can include a wide range of particles, from small silt to larger rocks, depending on the energy of the transporting agent. For example, rivers can carry fine silt and clay long distances, while glacial melt can move larger boulders.

In contrast, the other terms relate to different geological concepts. "Residual materials" refer to materials that remain in place and have weathered from the underlying rock without being moved. "Deposit materials" refer to the end result of the sedimentation process where these materials are laid down or deposited in a new area, while "surface materials" can be more general and may refer to the uppermost layer of the earth but not specifically to those that are transported. Understanding the distinction between these terms helps clarify the processes involved in soil formation and erosion.