How do freezing, thawing, wetting, and drying contribute to soil creep?
A) The soil expands and contracts, lifting particles and dropping them a slight distance downslope.
B) The soil becomes much weaker when dry and frozen.
C) Eventually, these cause the soil and regolith to suddenly slide down the slope.
D) Gravity exerts a much stronger force when the soil is wet and thawed.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Freezing and thawing of soil causes it to expand and contract, which lifts particles and drops them downslope, contributing to soil creep. Wetting and drying of soil can also cause expansion and contraction, leading to soil creep. Both of these processes are gradual and don't usually result in sudden slides.

How Do Freezing, Thawing, Wetting, and Drying Contribute to Soil