Topic 3.2 — Soil erosion

Types of soil erosion by water

Rainsplash and water running over the soil surface detach and transport soil particles.

Rainsplash. Soil particles are displaced by raindrop impact.
Sheet erosion. Water running as a shallow sheet (overland flow), displacing a relatively uniform thickness of soil.
Rill erosion. Water moving as concentrated flow, "digging out" small rills.
Gully erosion. Severe rills leading to gullies, either temporary or permanent.