What term describes materials that are transported by gravity?

The term that describes materials transported by gravity is "colluvial." Colluvial materials are characterized by their accumulation at the base of slopes due to the gravitational movement of soil and rock debris. This process typically occurs in hilly or mountainous terrains where weathering and erosion contribute to the loosening of materials, which then slide down due to gravity.

In contrast, alluvial refers to sediments deposited by flowing water, often found in riverbeds and floodplains. Loess describes wind-blown silt deposits, which are typically found in extensive blankets of fine material formed from glacial activity. Silt, while a type of sediment, does not specifically refer to the gravitational transport of material but rather indicates size classification within sedimentary particles. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify the processes involved in soil and material movement in different environmental contexts.