On the splash erosion importance in the denudation process

Abstract

The raindrop impact is one of less studied exogenous processes. All the related phenomena are known by the term «xsplash erosion». Two processes can be distinguished: splash of soil particles and creep induced by raindrops impact. Some factors are discussed which control the splash erosion (rainfall regime, vegetation and burrowing animals, slope of surface and soil characteristics: particles size, moisture content etc.). Data on splash erosion rate are given. The process should be considered as an individual type of denudation of the Earth surface which combines features of both slope and erosional process.