15 Examples of Erosion and How to Prevent Them

Human activity can cause erosion much faster than any natural process. In addition to moving rock particles and soil, debris can also be moved, causing buildups in low areas.

However, though often confused with each other, erosion and weathering are not the same thing.

Erosion is the movement of soil, dissolved materials, and broken rock from one place to another.

On the other hand, weathering occurs when a rock is broken down by wind, rain, or other natural forces but remains in place.

Below are some examples of erosion and natural ways to prevent it.

1. Rill 

Whenever you see deep, yet narrow channels carved into the ground by runoff, especially around your garden or house, these are rills.

These rills can be up to 0.3 meters deep. Unless you fill them in, they can become a hazard. 

2. Raindrop or Splash

Rain comes in various forms, from a light sprinkle to a heavy downpour.

When raindrops hit the ground directly, they can strike with enough force to break the soil apart. The soil particles then splash onto the surface of the ground.

That process is what they call splash erosion.

3. Gully 

Gully erosion happens when heavy water runoff creates deep grooves in the ground. This process moves soil along drainage lines.

Many start as small drainage areas and grow as the runoff surges and collapses the sides of the original groove.

4. Sheet 

Sheetwash results when flowing water strips away thin layers of topsoil from an area downhill.

The rainwater can sweep away anything loose. However, loose soil is the one thing we do not want to lose.

5. Linear 

This is a form of water runoff that consumes energy and volume. It happens when the soil is unable to hold excess water. As a result, runoff will start after rainwater thoroughly soaks the soil [1].

6. Mass Movement, a.k.a. Landslide

Landslides are caused by water undermining the integrity of slopes, causing them to be washed away by the water.

This happens during heavy rains and flooding, sometimes at the same time. Landslides can be formed of just rock and soil or, in severe cases, entire mountainsides.

7. Streambed 

A streambed occurs when the sides of the stream collapse due to heavy rains and/or flooding.

Usually, the banks of the streams have very little vegetation or rocks. Therefore, the soil strips away easily.

8. Tunnel 

There are times when water hits the ground so hard that it drills a hole in the ground. This follows the path of gravity underground, creating a tunnel.

It can also follow the interiors of burrows and old drainage pipes. As more water flows into the tunnel and then floods over it, it causes the tunnel to collapse.

The water then sweeps away all the soil and rock.

9. Deflation

Deflation is the stripping away of soil or sand to expose underlying rock, roots, or other features beneath loose soil. Deflation is a type of wind erosion.

10. Accumulation

This is another type of erosion caused by the wind. Soil or sand remains wherever it falls once the wind dies down.

Accumulation can create dunes, build up areas along the edges of fields, and fill small streams and other water sources. This kind of buildup is not necessarily beneficial.

11. Scalding

Scalding is caused by droughts when overgrazed land is subjected to strong winds.

The lack of ground cover allows the wind to sweep away all loose soil. As a result, this creates a barren spot in an otherwise verdant area.

12. Glacial 

A glacier is a large, moving mass of solid ice. Only, it’s not just ice. As glaciers thaw and freeze, they move.

As they move, they dig into the ground. They take with them loose soil and even rock. They are said to have carved out the coastal areas of many islands in the north.

13. Tillage 

Tilling creates deep grooves in the ground and breaks up the soil, allowing for better aeration and water infiltration. While this is a good thing, to a degree, too much tilling can cause soil loss.

This loss comes not only from wind and rain but also from people. Soil can be carried off on your boots or by simply clearing out rows for planting.

14. Floodplain 

Floodplains are the main paths floods take, stripping everything along the way. They tend to start as small streams or gullies that erode sideways rather than downward into the ground.

They take up miles of space and tend to follow gravity down any slope, no matter how shallow.

15. Coastal 

Wave action causes the deterioration of coastlines. Even the smallest of waves can eat away at the soil and loose rocks of a coastline, drastically changing its shape over time.

During storms and hurricanes, waves can start massive landslides and lead to flooding. As a result, this causes drastic changes to the coastline.

How to Prevent Water Erosion in Farming

The washing away of soil by water is the most common form of land damage in agriculture.

Soil erosion is the movement of soil from one location to another, typically to an area where it is not beneficial.

The effects of it can be very detrimental. Here’s how to prevent water erosion naturally:

• Plant trees: Planting trees native to the area provides roots and leaves to protect areas of loose soil. Leaves can keep rain from falling so hard on the ground. Additionally, roots hold the soil together.
• Plant ground cover: Ground covers provide stability to the soil and protect it from direct rainfall.
• Build retaining walls on slopes using brick, stone, or treated wood. Make sure they follow the ground’s contour. Add a slight slope to avoid water pooling in the middle.
• Use mulch; mulch adds weight to the soil. Mulch can also protect young plants and seedlings on slopes.
• Use drip irrigation; watering your lawn or garden is like having rain on it. Traditional watering methods can cause washaways, just as rain does. However, you can deliver water in small doses by using drip irrigation.
• Reduce or avoid soil compaction; heavily compacted soil can cause runoff because the water can’t sink into the soil readily. Compaction is usually caused by walking over the same area all the time. The same goes for heavy machinery. However, establishing set paths for walking and machinery will lessen compaction and prevent soil loss.

Preventing Wind Erosion

Usually, vegetation is depleted, and the soil is left bare to the forces of the wind.

Below are a few prevention methods:

• Plant vegetation—cultivate the land with either cash crops or cover crops.
• Cover the soil; spread manure or mulch over the bare soil.
• Avoid overgrazing; do not allow animals to eat away the grass that holds the soil together. Spots of bare soil when animals are grazing are a sure sign of overgrazing.
• Prevent water damage: heavy showers or overwatering can leave the soil bare, which becomes vulnerable to gusty winds when it’s dry.

As you can see, humans contribute significantly to soil erosion. However, there are things we can do to lessen its impact on our landscape.