Find a term from the labs, understand the process behind it, and see how it appears in the landscape. Each entry connects an explanation with a real observation and a model you can explore.
Term
Rain splash
The detachment and movement of soil particles by raindrop impact. It can begin erosion before continuous runoff develops. Vegetation, litter and surface roughness reduce the direct impact on exposed mineral soil.
What to look for
USDA NRCS archive photograph of raindrop impact. Splash detaches and redistributes soil particles before surface runoff carries them farther.
