Rivers are constantly moving soils downstream. The growth of the Mississippi Delta and the formation of Lake Pepin by the Chippewa River are examples. In addition, storms and floods move water over land carrying soils to rivers, lakes, oceans.

Wind can be a powerful mover of soils, especially in times of drought. The rich farmland along Lake Pepin near Pepin, Wisconsin appears to have been blown there from the Dakotas.

The force of gravity can cause mudslides and the less newsworthy slow creep of soil downhill.

Glaciers pick up, move, and re-deposit massive amounts of soil and rock.

Humans have moved large amounts of soil from where it was formed or deposited to where it was more useful for human activity.