If a natural disaster removes a large amount of soil from a property, what concept does this exemplify?

The situation described in the question pertains to the concept of avulsion, which refers to the sudden removal of soil or land due to natural forces, such as floods, landslides, or erosion. When a natural disaster occurs and significantly alters the landscape by removing soil from a property, it is considered avulsion because this change happens abruptly rather than gradually over time.

Avulsion is essential in real estate and property law as it affects the boundaries and ownership of land. Unlike gradual erosion, where land is lost incrementally, avulsion results in an immediate change, potentially exposing underlying land or altering property lines in a way that could impact ownership rights.

In contrast, the other concepts mentioned do not fit this scenario. Accretion refers to the gradual buildup of soil or land, often increasing property size, while a plat map is a detailed map that outlines the subdivisions of a property. Eminent domain involves the government taking private property for public use, which does not apply to the natural changes of land resulting from a disaster. Understanding the distinctions between these concepts is crucial for recognizing how property laws function concerning land ownership and boundary changes.