Some Factors Affecting the Rates and Processes of Periglacial Mass Movements

An east-facing slope in the Okstindan Mountains of northern Norway was selected for a detailed study of the rates and processes of soil movement in a periglacial environment. Rates of soil movement of between 0 cm and 6.0 cm were recorded in the year 1969–70 and movements of between 0 cm and 5.1 cm in the year 1970–71. It was shown that the main factors affecting these rates of movement were soil moisture content, gradient, vegetation cover, and winter frost heave. Soil movement in this area took place by saturated flow and soil creep.