Liquefaction occurs when
A) rock heats enough that it behaves like a liquid.
B) rivers and water bodies overrun and dissolve earth materials during a quake.
C) grains of earth materials settle downward during shaking and wet ground becomes fluid.
D) grains rise up to the surface in groundwater during an earthquake and cause mass movement.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Liquefaction occurs when wet ground, such as soil, sand or silt, loses its stiffness and becomes more like a liquid than a solid during an earthquake. This is caused by an increase in pore water pressure due to the shaking of the ground, which causes the grains of the earth materials to settle downward and become fluid. Options A, B, and D are not accurate descriptions of liquefaction.

Liquefaction Occurs When