Gelifluction

Gelifluction is a geological process that occurs in cold, often permafrost regions. It happens when material, typically soil and sediment, becomes saturated with water during warmer seasons. As the soil thaws, the weight of the saturated layer causes it to flow slowly down slopes, resembling a slow-motion landslide. This movement can create distinctive landforms and features like lobes and terraces. Gelifluction is important in shaping the landscape and can affect ecosystems as well as human activities, such as construction and agriculture, in these regions.