weggespoelt

Weggespoeld is the past participle of the Dutch verb wegspoelen, meaning to wash away or sweep away by flowing water. It is used to describe material that has been removed from a surface by hydrological action, such as soil, sediment, or artefacts, and can function as an adjective in phrases like "weggespoelde sedimentlagen" or "weggespoelde artefacten." The term is used in geology, geomorphology, and archaeology, among other fields, to indicate loss or displacement caused by water.

In practice, weggespoeld refers to land or material that has been carried away by rivers, floods, storms, or tidal action. It is commonly observed on riverbanks and coastline, where erosion or scouring reduces soil depth and can threaten infrastructure. In archaeology and paleontology, delicate finds can be destroyed or displaced by weggespoelde sediment, complicating site interpretation and preservation.

Causes include high discharge events, rapid runoff, coastal storm surges, and wave action, while riverine scour and flood plumes contribute to material loss. Mitigation measures include vegetation stabilization, geomorphological planning, flood defenses, sediment budgeting, and careful excavation practices.

Etymology: from wegspoelen, with "weg-" indicating removal and "spoelen" rinse/flush. It is often contrasted with "afgebroken" and "erodeert" but "weggespoeld" emphasizes removal by running water. Usage example: "Tijdens de overstroming van de rivier is een groot deel van de oever weggespoeld." "De artefacten in de vindplaats zijn deels weggespoeld."