Identify the correct order of the processes of soil erosion from the following

Answer: (a) Splash erosion, Sheet erosion, Rill erosion, Gully erosion

Raindrop splash loosens soil → sheet wash → small rills → deep gullies.

The idea

Water erosion begins by loosening particles and becomes more concentrated as runoff gathers. A broad film of flow develops into small channels, then larger channels. Order the forms by increasing concentration and depth of cutting.

Raindrops strike bare soil → Particles are loosened by splash → Runoff removes a thin sheet → Water concentrates into rills → Channels deepen into gullies → Repeated cutting can form ravines

Why the others are wrong

(b) Starts with sheet, not splash.

(c) Reverse order.

(d) Reverse order.

The trap

Erosion grows from small to large.

Elimination technique

Splash must come before a runoff sheet develops, and small rills precede large gullies. Applying both size and process order leaves (a).

Also know

Rills are small enough to be removed by normal tillage; gullies generally are not. Vegetation softens raindrop impact, contour farming slows runoff, and check dams help trap sediment in channels. Wind erosion is separate: deflation removes loose particles and abrasion wears surfaces with wind-carried sand.