Which impact on infrastructure results when thaw-induced solifluction destabilizes hillside foundations?

💡 Explanation

When thawing occurs, the active layer above permafrost becomes saturated and flows downslope via solifluction because the saturated soil loses shear strength from hydrostatic pressure, leading to lateral movement of foundations. Therefore supporting piers displacement occurs, rather than tensile stress, eroding concrete specifically, or oxidizing caissons which relate mostly to moisture and chemical interactions, not direct soil movement.

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• Which mechanism causes significant elevation change after a megathrust earthquake near a coastline?