UPSC Prelims PYQ 2001: Correct order of soil erosion processes
Identify the correct order of the processes of soil erosion from the following:
- Splash erosion, Sheet erosion, Rill erosion, Gully erosion
- Sheet erosion, Splash erosion, Gully erosion, Rill erosion
- Rill erosion, Gully erosion, Sheet erosion, Splash erosion
- Gully erosion, Rill erosion, Sheet erosion, Splash erosion
Explanation
Option (a) is correct
- Soil erosion generally occurs in a progressive sequence. It begins with splash erosion, where falling raindrops loosen and detach soil particles. This is followed by sheet erosion, in which a thin uniform layer of topsoil is removed by surface runoff. As the flow of water becomes more concentrated, small channels called rills are formed, leading to rill erosion. With continued erosion, these rills deepen and widen into large channels known as gullies, resulting in gully erosion, the most severe form among them.
Answer: (a) Splash erosion, Sheet erosion, Rill erosion, Gully erosion
