Jordflöden

Jordflöden, a Swedish term, translates to "earth flows" or "soil flows." It describes a type of mass wasting where soil and regolith move downslope in a viscous, fluid-like manner. Unlike rockfalls or landslides, jordflöden are characterized by slow, continuous movement, often occurring over long periods. The material involved is typically saturated with water, which reduces the friction between soil particles and allows them to slide past each other. This saturation can be caused by heavy rainfall, snowmelt, or the presence of impermeable layers beneath the soil.

The movement in jordflöden is not uniform. The surface may appear to move faster than the deeper layers, and there can be differential movement within the flow itself, leading to the formation of hummocky terrain. Vegetation on the surface of a jordflöde often becomes tilted or contorted as it is carried downslope. These flows are common in areas with gentle to moderate slopes, particularly in regions with fine-grained soils like clay and silt. They are often associated with permafrost environments, where thawing of the active layer can lead to significant soil saturation and downslope movement, a phenomenon sometimes referred to as solifluction. While generally slow, jordflöden can become more rapid and destructive under specific conditions, such as increased water content or seismic activity.