Which term refers to a gradual increase in land area due to the deposition of soil?

The term that refers to a gradual increase in land area due to the deposition of soil is accretion. This process occurs when sediment is naturally deposited by water, wind, or ice, leading to a slow but steady accumulation of land. For example, when a river can no longer carry the sediment it is transporting, that sediment may settle and form new land – this is a classic case of accretion.

In contrast, erosion is the process where soil and rock are removed from one location and transported elsewhere, often leading to a decrease in land area. Avulsion refers to a sudden change in the course of a river or stream, which can lead to a rapid change in land boundaries, rather than a gradual buildup. Reliction occurs when a body of water recedes, exposing new land; while this may also increase land area, it’s not directly due to the deposition process characteristic of accretion. Thus, accretion is the most accurate term for the gradual increase in land area through sediment deposition.