In sedimentary geology, which of the following is not a natural agent that transports sediment from one place to another?

Introduction / Context:
Sediments such as sand, silt and clay are moved and deposited in different environments by various natural agents. Understanding which forces actually transport sediment is a core idea in geology. This question asks you to pick the item that is not a transporting agent.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• We are choosing the option that is not an agent of sediment transport.
• Options include stratification, windstorms, glacial ice, stream water and ocean currents.
• We assume standard geological definitions of these terms.

Concept / Approach:
Sediment transporting agents are natural forces that move loose material. These include flowing water in rivers, moving ice in glaciers, wind in deserts and coastal zones, and ocean currents in the sea. Stratification, on the other hand, is a structure formed after deposition, where sediments show layering or bedding. It describes the arrangement of sediment, not the process or agent that moved it. Therefore stratification is not a transporting agent.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: List known sediment transporting agents: rivers, wind, glaciers and sea currents. Step 2: Match these agents with the options: stream water, windstorms, glacial ice and ocean currents all fit this role. Step 3: Recognise that stratification refers to layering within the sedimentary rock and is a structure rather than a moving force. Step 4: Therefore, identify stratification as the option that is not a transporting agent.

Verification / Alternative check:
Consult any basic sedimentology diagram. Agents of transport are usually listed as running water, glaciers, wind and waves or currents. Stratification appears under typical sedimentary structures. This clear separation of categories confirms that stratification is not a transporting agent.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B, windstorms, involve strong winds that can carry fine sand and dust over long distances. Option C, glacial ice, moves slowly under its own weight and drags rocks and sediments with it. Option D, stream water, is one of the most important agents of erosion and sediment transport in rivers. Option E, ocean currents, move sediments along the sea floor and shape coastal and marine environments.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes mistake any geological term in a list as belonging to the same category. To avoid this, always ask whether the term describes a process, a force or a structure. Only processes and forces such as moving water, wind, ice and currents are agents of transport. Structures like stratification and ripple marks record the results of transport and deposition, but do not cause movement themselves.

Final Answer:
The item that is not a sediment transporting agent is Stratification.