The slow downslope flow of unfrozen earth materials on a frozen substrate. Gelifluction is a type of Solifluction implying the presence of either Seasonal Frost or Permafrost.
Form of mass movement in periglacial environment where a permafrost layer exists. It is characterized by the movement of soil material over the permafrost layer and the formation of lobe-shaped featur
es. Also see solifluction.
Gelisols are soils of very cold climates which are defined as containing permafrost within two metres of the soil surface. The word Gelisol comes from the Latin gelare meaning to freeze, a reference t
o the process of cryoturbation that occurs from the alternating thawing and freezing characteristic of Gelisols.
Soil order (type) of the United States Natural Resources Conservation Service Soil Classification System. This soil is common to high latitude tundra environments. The main identifying feature of this
soil is a layer of permafrost within one meter of the soil surface.