Florida Broker Practice Exam

Which term describes the gradual loss of land due to natural forces?

1. Accretion

2. Erosion

3. Reliction

4. Alluvion

The correct answer is: Erosion

The term that describes the gradual loss of land due to natural forces is erosion. Erosion is a natural process in which soil and rock are removed from one location and transported to another, often resulting in the loss of landmass. This phenomenon typically occurs due to the actions of water, wind, ice, or gravity, which can wear away soil and rock formations over time. In coastal areas, for instance, waves can erode shorelines, leading to a decrease in land area. Accretion, on the other hand, refers to the process by which land is gradually added to a shoreline or riverbed through the deposition of sediment. Reliction describes the process where land is exposed due to the lowering of water levels, leading to the creation of new land. Alluvion is the term used to refer to newly formed land that is created by sediment deposit from bodies of water. Each of these terms represents a different geological process, but erosion specifically addresses the loss of land.