soil liquefaction
Soil liquefaction is a phenomenon that occurs when saturated soil loses its strength and stiffness due to applied stress, often during an earthquake. This process transforms solid ground into a fluid-like state, making it unable to support structures.
During liquefaction, the water pressure in the soil increases, causing the soil particles to lose contact with each other. This can lead to significant ground movement and damage to buildings, roads, and other infrastructure. Understanding soil liquefaction is crucial for engineers and urban planners to design safer structures in earthquake-prone areas.