rain-wash

views updated May 08 2018

rain-wash A general term for the transfer of material across the surface and down a hillslope as a result of rainfall. Normally it consists of two components: rain-splash, which is the detachment and subsequent down-slope transfer of small soil particles by raindrop impact; and soil-wash, which is the down-slope movement of material by surface water flow. Rain-wash and creep are the two main hillslope processes.

rain-wash

views updated Jun 27 2018

rain-wash The transfer of material across the surface and down a hill-slope as a result of rainfall. Normally it consists of two components: rain-splash, which is the detachment and subsequent down-slope transfer of small soil particles by raindrop impact; and soil-wash, which is the down-slope movement of material by surface water flow. Rainwash and creep are the two main hill-slope processes.