Solifluction in the mountains of central Asia: distribution, morphology, processes

The solifluction belt in the Tien Shan and Pamir–Alai varies in width from 900 to 1400 m ASL. Its lower limit lies at about 2500 m in the north and 3800 m in the south. Solifluction processes produce a variety of landforms ranging from large (sheets, streams, terraces) to small (stripes, turf-banked steps) forms. Movement rates vary from 1–2 mm/a to 300 mm/a. Three mechanisms of movement are distinguished according to the predominance of frost creep, flow or massive sliding. Present-day, Holocene and Pleistocene solifluction features are recognized.