Solifluction happens during the summer thaw when the water in the soil is trapped there by frozen permafrost beneath it. This waterlogged sludge moves downslope by gravity, helped along by freeze-and-thaw cycles that push the top of the soil outward from the slope (the mechanism of frost heave).

What is the cause of solifluction?

Causes of Solifluction

Active solifluction can be initiated by repeated freeze-thaw cycles, the gravitational pull of Earth, debris flow and landslides, the formation of ice crystals, wet soils and regolith after heavy rainfall and snowmelt, volcanic eruptions, uncovered soil, and earthquake shocks.

What are the effects of solifluction?

With more relief, soil saturation typically decreases as the water drains down the slope as runoff (Walker, 1986). Stratified and multilayered slope sediments in the Colorado Front Range are attributed to solifluction (Voelkel et al., 2011). Such deposits will impact the movement of water and development of soils.