Which risk fundamentally increases due to increasing pore pressure within a fault zone?

💡 Explanation

When pore pressure rises, the effective normal stress on the fault plane decreases because the fluid counteracts the confining stress, reduces the friction, weakening the fault. Therefore, decreased effective normal stress results, rather than increased velocity, cohesion or elevated gradient which are independent effects.

• Which outcome occurs when unconsolidated pyroclastic materials saturate?
• Which risk increases on a newly-formed volcanic island lacking vegetation?
• Which process limits vegetation establishment during primary pedogenesis?
• Which mechanism creates steep-sided fjords after glacial retreat?
• Which outcome results downstream when glaciers accelerate surge flow?
• Which outcome results from unchecked agricultural soil deflation?