Soil creep

{
  "id": "MLC-T-MET-009013",
  "term": "Soil creep",
  "field": "Meteorology and atmospheric science",
  "definition": "The slow, continuous, downslope movement of soil and regolith under the influence of gravity. The movement is driven by factors such as freeze-thaw cycles, wetting and drying, and thermal expansion and contraction, which cause particles to lift and then settle slightly further downslope. While the rate is imperceptible on a daily basis, its cumulative effect over years is evident in tilted trees, fences, and utility poles on hillsides.",
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/meteorology/soil-creep/"
}