sheetflood

A sheetflood is an expanse of moving water that spreads out from transient streams in arid regions as they emerge from mountains onto plains. This phenomenon is closely related to sheet erosion, which is the detachment of soil particles by raindrop impact and their subsequent removal by water flowing overland as a sheet, rather than in defined channels.12

Sheet erosion can result in the uniform removal of a layer of fine particles from an entire area, leading to significant loss of topsoil. This often occurs on recently plowed fields or areas with poorly consolidated soil and minimal vegetation. The process involves two stages: rain splash, where raindrops dislodge soil particles, and the downslope movement of these particles, frequently by sheetflooding. While sheetfloods are typically brief and move short distances, they can carry a substantial amount of sediment, creating a powerful erosive force.2