Illinois Real Estate Practice Exam 2025 - Free Real Estate Practice Questions and Study Guide

The scenario described, where land is lost while property boundaries remain the same, is indeed best characterized by avulsion. Avulsion occurs when there is a sudden and rapid removal of land due to events such as floods, landslides, or other natural disasters, which can significantly alter the landscape. However, the legal property boundaries of ownership do not change immediately despite the physical loss of land.

This distinction is important because it highlights the difference between avulsion and other concepts like erosion, which involves a gradual loss of land over time. In cases of erosion, the physical boundaries of property can change due to the slow and natural process of soil being worn away, but avulsion refers to abrupt changes that impact land ownership.

Understanding avulsion in this context helps clarify property rights and responsibilities following significant land loss, making it crucial for real estate practitioners to grasp this definition in relation to property law in Illinois.