In the context of property law, the term signifies a sudden separation of land from one owner and its deposit on the land of another, as by a river changing its course. For instance, if a river abruptly shifts its channel and carves out a portion of one property, depositing it onto an adjacent property, this constitutes an example.
Understanding this phenomenon is crucial in property ownership disputes, particularly those involving waterfront or riparian lands. Historically, these occurrences have led to complex legal battles over boundary lines and land ownership. The outcome of such disputes often hinges on demonstrating the suddenness of the land displacement, distinguishing it from slower, gradual processes.
