What is the process described as "reliction"?

Reliction is defined as the process involving the gradual withdrawal of water from a river, lake, or other body of water, which results in the exposure of previously submerged land. When water recedes, it can reveal land that had been underwater, leading to the formation of dry land. This phenomenon typically occurs as water levels decline due to factors such as evaporation, changes in climate, or human activities.

The other concepts presented, while related to land and water interactions, do not accurately describe reliction. For example, the gradual formation of new land from rising water levels refers to accretion, where sediment builds up, rather than land emerging from water withdrawal. Erosion involves the wearing away of land by water, wind, or other natural forces, and is a different process entirely. Finally, rerouting rivers pertains to altering the flow of water itself rather than the emergence of land due to the retreat of water. Understanding these distinctions reinforces the definition of reliction and highlights why it specifically refers to the creation of dry land through the withdrawal of water.