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saltation Definition

sal·ta·tion (sal tā′s̸hən)

noun

  1. a leaping, jumping, or dancing
  2. sudden change, movement, or development, as if by leaping
  3. Biol. a sudden, major inherited change in an organism, usually caused by a mutation

Etymology: L saltatio, a dancing, dance < saltatus, pp. of saltare: see saltant

saltation Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • layer: Saltation The genesis of powder snow avalanches is also thought to sometimes arise from a saltation layer on the surface of a dense avalanche.
  • cannot: Saltation cannot be initiated within the vegetation, because of the zero wind velocity at the surface.