Solifluction (earth flow, soil flow) is a slow, downslope flow movement of water-saturated rock material from the topsoil. Solifluction often takes place in the thawing zone of the permafrost and requires a certain slope of the terrain. When the surface of the permafrost thaws, water can accumulate on the frozen subsoil. The accrued water thus flows down the slope, transporting the overlying loose rock material. Solifluction affects the erosion of sediments and therefore the morphology of mountain landscapes. In areas near or directly within the solifluction zone, slope stabilization measures and infrastructure as well as hiking trails and buildings can be at risk from the flow movement.
Since solifluction and the associated risk can only occur in the vicinity of permafrost, we check in our analyses whether a site is located in a permafrost area or in its immediate vicinity.