Which term describes the sudden removal of soil due to a natural event?

The term that accurately describes the sudden removal of soil due to a natural event is "avulsion." This geological process refers to a rapid change in the course of a river or the sudden displacement of land, often caused by events such as floods or earthquakes, which can result in significant alterations to the landscape. Avulsion is a critical concept in real estate and property law, especially concerning land ownership and boundary lines, as it can influence property rights when land is significantly altered or redefined as a result of such natural occurrences.

In contrast, accretion refers to the gradual buildup of land through the deposition of sediment, often along shorelines or riverbanks, and erosion is the slow wearing away of soil or rock by wind, water, or other natural forces. Reclamation involves restoring or rehabilitating disturbed land for productive uses, often after it has been degraded by human activity or natural disasters. Each of these terms is important in the context of land use and property rights, but "avulsion" specifically highlights the sudden nature of the soil removal process.