Which risk increases when road construction disrupts the active layer above permafrost slopes?

💡 Explanation

When the active layer is disturbed, the thermal insulation is lost because the permafrost thaws, which increases water content, lubricating the soil and mobilizing it downslope during solifluction. Therefore, downslope movement is accelerated, rather than the other options that require permafrost stability and vegetation changes.

• Which phenomenon causes localized regions of downwelling within subtropical gyres in the ocean?
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• Which process primarily initiates cirque formation in mountainous glacial regions?
• Which mechanism amplifies seismic wave intensity in basins with soft sedimentary rock fillings during an earthquake?
• Which mechanism causes higher sediment deposition rates along the upper regions alluvial fans?
• Which mechanism causes rapid stream incision following an earthquake along a strike-slip fault?