| − | '''Soil Liquefaction''' is the process by which saturated, unconsolidated soil or sand is converted into a suspension. It is commonly observed in [[quicksand]], [[quick clay]], [[turbidity current]]s, and as a result of [[earthquake]] shock in unconsolidated sediments. It can be caused when flowing water reduces the [[friction]] between sand particles (as from an underground spring), or when a sudden change in pressure or repeated shock acting on water saturated or supersaturated [[sediment]]s (as in an earthquake). Although the effects of '''liquefaction''' had been observed and understood for years, it was dramatically brought to the attention of [[Engineering|engineer]]s and seismologists in 1964 during the [[Niigata, Niigata|Niigata, Japan]] and [[Alaska]] earthquakes. It was a major factor in the destruction in [[San Francisco|San Francisco's]] [[Marina District]] during the 1989 [[Loma Prieta earthquake]]. | + | '''Soil Liquefaction''' is the process by which saturated, unconsolidated soil or sand is converted into a suspension. It is commonly observed in quicksand, quick clay, [[turbidity current]]s, and as a result of [[earthquake]] shock in unconsolidated sediments. It can be caused when flowing water reduces the [[friction]] between sand particles (as from an underground spring), or when a sudden change in pressure or repeated shock acting on water saturated or supersaturated [[sediment]]s (as in an earthquake). Although the effects of '''liquefaction''' had been observed and understood for years, it was dramatically brought to the attention of [[Engineering|engineer]]s and seismologists in 1964 during the [[Niigata, Niigata|Niigata, Japan]] and [[Alaska]] earthquakes. It was a major factor in the destruction in [[San Francisco|San Francisco's]] [[Marina District]] during the 1989 [[Loma Prieta earthquake]]. |