What occurs during liquefaction?

During liquefaction, soil behaves as if it were a liquid due to intense ground shaking, typically caused by seismic activity such as an earthquake. When the soil is subjected to these dynamic forces, water within the pores of saturated soil is forced out, causing the soil particles to lose contact with each other. This results in a dramatic reduction in shear strength, allowing the soil to flow. The phenomenon is especially common in saturated, loose, sandy soils which can transform from solid to a fluid-like state under pressure. This process can lead to significant damage during earthquakes, including the sinking of structures and ground failure, highlighting the critical importance of understanding liquefaction in geotechnical engineering and seismic design.