Slushflows: Basic properties and spreading

The article presents results of an analytical review of factual data and scientific studies concerning slushflows. The basic conditions and gears of origin, parameters and typology of flows are considered, as well as the impact slushflows have upon topography and vegetation, spreading and seasonal distribution, dangerous consequences of snowslides. Slushflows are regarded as zonal paragenic mudflow phenomena typical of the subarctic climate zone. The area of territories with slushflows predominance accounts for 20 per cent of the total land subject to rnudflow phenomena. Recurrence intervals of snowslides average one in 5 to 10 years