Which mechanism accelerates surface deformation when permafrost thawing induces solifluction on an Arctic slope with ice wedges?

💡 Explanation

When thawing permafrost induces solifluction, differential settlement occurs because ice wedges melt unevenly, leading to varying soil densities and instability which accelerates deformation. Therefore settlement exacerbates instability rather than cryostatic heaving, oxidation or albedo effects which are secondary processes in this solifluction scenario.

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