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Simple English definitions for legal terms
avulsion
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A quick definition of avulsion:
Avulsion: When water quickly covers land or moves it to a new place, it's called avulsion. If this happens, the original owner of the land still owns it, even if it's moved. For example, if a big storm causes a piece of land to break off and float away, the person who owned the land before still owns it. This is different from when land slowly builds up next to water, which belongs to whoever it ends up next to. Avulsion can cause problems when the government wants to change the coastline, and people who used to own beachfront property lose it because the land is filled in.
A more thorough explanation:
Avulsion is a term used to describe the sudden movement of land caused by water. This can happen during natural disasters like hurricanes or floods. When land is moved by avulsion, it is still considered the property of the original owner, even if it ends up in a different location.
For example, if a river floods and washes away a chunk of land from someone's property, that person still owns the land even if it ends up downstream. This is different from when land slowly accumulates over time due to natural processes, which is called alluvion.
Avulsion can be a tricky legal issue, especially when it comes to government-owned property. For example, if a hurricane causes a large area of land to become permanently submerged, the government may decide to refill the area in order to protect the coastline. This can lead to disputes over property ownership and whether the government has the right to take away someone's oceanfront access.
Overall, avulsion refers to the sudden and dramatic movement of land caused by water, and it can have significant legal implications for property owners.