Which mechanism primarily causes downslope movement of the active layer during solifluction?

💡 Explanation

When the active layer thaws, viscous creep occurs because the saturated soil flows downslope due to gravity during freeze-thaw, leading to solifluction. Therefore viscous creep with thaw cycles is the driver, rather than the alternative processes requiring significantly different conditions and bedrock composition.

• Which mechanism explains shield volcano formation associated with mantle plumes?
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• Which mechanism causes increased flood risk when an alluvial fan experiences rapid urbanization?
• Which phenomenon causes poleward heat transport within Earth's atmosphere?
• Which phenomenon most directly causes the formation of deep-sea trenches along subduction zones?
• Which mechanism causes fertile plains formation from loess?