NCEES Principles and Practice of Surveying Practice Exam

Accretion refers to what geological process?

1. The creation of new land by sediment deposition

2. The sudden loss of land due to flooding

3. The withdrawal of water that exposes dry land

4. The gradual washing away of the shoreline

The correct answer is: The creation of new land by sediment deposition

Accretion is a geological process where new land is formed through the deposition of sediment. This typically occurs in environments such as river deltas, coastal areas, and floodplains, where sediments carried by water are deposited as the speed of the flowing water decreases. Over time, these accumulated sediments can build up to create new land surfaces. This process is crucial for the formation of ecosystems and can significantly change landscapes. In the context of this question, the other options describe various processes related to land and water interactions but do not align with the definition of accretion. The sudden loss of land due to flooding is associated with erosion rather than the gradual building up of land. Similarly, the withdrawal of water exposing dry land can indicate changes in water levels but does not involve the deposition of sediment. The gradual washing away of the shoreline is again tied to erosion, highlighting the distinction between processes that remove land compared to those that add land, such as accretion.