The erosion in which soil matrix is lost but remains undetached for long period and removes thin layer of soil from large area is called –

Correct option is C

The correct answer is (C) Sheet erosion

Explanation:
• Sheet erosion is the uniform removal of soil in thin layers by the forces of raindrops and overland flow.
• It is often considered the most dangerous form of erosion because it is gradual and often goes unnoticed by farmers until a significant amount of the fertile topsoil has been lost.
• This process occurs on sloping land when the intensity of rainfall exceeds the soil's infiltration rate, causing water to flow across the surface and carry away detached soil particles.
• While individual soil particles are detached, the movement across a large area gives the appearance of a 'sheet' of soil being removed simultaneously.
• It is the second stage of water erosion, following splash erosion and preceding rill erosion.

Information Booster:
• The stages of water erosion follow a specific sequence: Splash Erosion → Sheet Erosion → Rill Erosion → Gully Erosion.
• Sheet erosion leads to the loss of the 'A' horizon of the soil, which contains the maximum amount of organic matter and nutrients essential for crop growth.
• Factors influencing sheet erosion include soil texture, slope gradient, rainfall intensity, and the presence or absence of vegetative cover.

Additional Knowledge:
• Hill erosion (Option A): A general term referring to erosion occurring on hilly terrain, often encompassing several specific types like landslides and rill erosion.
• Gully erosion (Option B): An advanced stage of erosion where deep channels or gullies are formed that cannot be removed by normal tillage operations.
• Stream erosion (Option D): Also known as bank erosion, it refers to the removal of soil and rock from the banks and beds of streams and rivers due to the flow of water.