Which slope destabilizing mechanism accelerates when permafrost thaw increases surface water saturation?

💡 Explanation

When permafrost thaws and increases surface water saturation, solifluction accelerates because the active layer's unfrozen soil becomes heavier and more plastic, flowing downslope due to gravity. Therefore solifluction is the result, rather than creep, landslides, or rockfall which have different triggering mechanisms.

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