The different soil erosion types are explained below. When clods of these soils are exposed to water, they readily break down into individual particles of sand, silt and clay which are easily removed as water moves through the subsoil. Scalding can occur when wind and water erosion removes the top soil and exposes saline or sodic soils. This leaflet explains the different types of erosion on the north coast. These atmospheric conditions may be heat, pressure etc. Gravity moves earth, rock and soil material downslope both slowly (millimetres per year) and suddenly (e.g. Rill and sheet erosion on a cultivated paddock, Example of mass movement—landslip on a steep slope near Coolangatta, Queensland, Dust storm, western Queensland, in October 2007. The first stage of the erosion process is splash erosion. Sheet erosion occurs when a very thin layer of surface dirt or soil is removed from a large area. These areas are subjected to high velocity floods that erode soils with insufficient surface cover. There are four types of erosion: Hydraulic action - This is the sheer power of the water as it smashes against the river banks. Rain Drop or Splash Erosion Surface runoff from rainfall and rainfall itself can result in large amounts of soil erosion. It contributes to scalding, a process that forms smooth, bare areas on impermeable subsoils. - This is the sheer power of the water as it smashes against the river banks. Chemical erosion occurs when a rock’s chemical composition changes, such as when iron rusts or when limestone dissolves due to carbonation. It is most likely to occur when strong winds blow over light-textured soils that have been heavily grazed during drought periods. Sheet movement of running water causes sheet erosion, which has eroded layers from hill slopes. Recent floods have made stream bank erosion a widespread problem across Queensland. Raindrops hit bare soil with enough force to break the soil aggregates. Like any natural process that takes place on land surfaces, the force of gravity plays a very important role. Types of Soil Erosion: Two natural agents i.e., water and wind, are constantly at work indulging in soil erosion. Rill erosion: This type of erosion starts as water flowing over the soil surface concentrates into small streams, creating channels of … Wind erosion happens when wind gusts blow away unsecured soil. The risk of erosion on floodplains depends on: Problems can also occur at the end of a flood event when slow moving water flows over saturated soils. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Gully erosion happens when runoff concentrates and flows strongly enough to detach and move soil particles. The Types of erosion Depend on the natural agent that causes the process, with water and wind being the most common elements. The heavy weight of this saturated soil can slide downslope if it is sitting on a rock surface loosened by the build-up of water in the soil. Soils vulnerable to tunnel erosion have dispersible subsoils with naturally high levels of sodium. It is the weathering … These rills can be up to 0.3m deep. Rainfall, and the surface runoff which may result from rainfall, produces four main types of soil erosion: splash erosion, sheet erosion, rill erosion, and gully erosion. Rill erosion occurs when runoff water forms small channels as it concentrates down a slope. Soil erosion is wearing away of soil particle due to action of erosion agents such as moving water, ice and wind.Erosion, whether it is by water, wind or tillage. This erosion happens near its source. The gradual wearing away of land surface materials, especially rocks, sediments, and soils, by the action of water, wind, or a glacier. While there are many types of erosion, all have the same basic process - the removal of topsoil by wind or water. Weathering, on the other hand is caused by contact with the earth's atmosphere. Waves are powerful forces that continually pound on the shoreline. Home Economics: Food and Nutrition (CCEA). Water is the most common force that causes erosion. Such soils are referred to as being sodic and are called Sodosols. Water then accumulates on the surface and increases runoff which takes soil with it. The vulnerability of soils to water erosion depends on: Hill slopes are prone to sheet erosion and rill erosion. They are a direct result of the change from forest to pasture. - When pebbles grind along the river bank and bed in a sand-papering effect. Erosion is defined as the withering away of the surface of land by either rain or irrigation water, wind or ice. Use tab and cursor keys to move around the page (more information), Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, what causes stream bed erosion (PDF, 645KB), rainfall intensity (erosivity)—high intensity rainfall creates serious risk as heavy drops on bare soil causes the soil surface to seal, nature of the soil (erodibility)—clay soils vary in their ability to withstand raindrop impact, slope length—if a slope is long, water running down the slope becomes deeper and moves faster, taking more soil with it. Erosion, transportation and deposition all occur in a river. Erosion is responsible for many magnificent rock formations around the world, like Pigeon’s Rock in Lebanon, or in Meteora, Greece. Soil erosion is a widespread problem in rural and urban Queensland. slope steepness—the speed of runoff increases on steep slopes, which increases the power of water to break off and carry soil particles. Types of Soil Erosion One of the most important things that we can do to ensure the health of our crops and nearby ecosystems is to reduce soil erosion. They cause the erosion of shoreline features and the transport of sand and sediment along the coast. Types of Soil Erosion: Water Erosion: It is caused by the action of water, which removes the soil from falling on as raindrops as well as by its surface flow action. Understanding different types of erosion, by water or wind, can help us protect our soils. Rainfall, and the surface runoff which may result from rainfall, produces four main types of soil erosion: splash erosion, sheet erosion, rill erosion, and gully erosion. Slips are one of the main forms of erosion in the North Island. Water erosion. Slips occur when the soil (topsoil and subsoil) on slopes becomes saturated. 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