What situation commonly leads to an avulsion event?

Avulsion is a geological process that occurs when there is a rapid change in landforms, typically due to external forces that displace land or cause significant alterations in the landscape. Flooding is a common natural disaster that can lead to avulsion events. During a flood, fast-moving water can cut away and erode land, creating sudden shifts in the course of rivers or creeks and potentially resulting in the creation of new landforms such as islands or river channels.

This situation highlights the impact of hydrological processes on the environment, emphasizing how rapid forces can result in immediate and noticeable changes to the terrain. The others, such as gradual soil depletion, rapid urban development, or increased population density, tend to contribute to gradual changes rather than the swift and dramatic shifts characteristic of avulsion.