What is the term for the collapse of a soil structure due to excessive moisture?

The term for the collapse of a soil structure due to excessive moisture is soil liquefaction. This phenomenon occurs when saturated soil substantially loses its strength and stiffness in response to applied stress, often during events like earthquakes or increased loading. In liquefaction, the soil behaves more like a liquid than a solid, which can lead to significant ground failure and the inability to support structures.

Soil liquefaction typically develops in loose, saturated, sandy soils where the water pressure increases, causing the soil particles to lose contact with each other. This results in the soil's inability to bear loads, leading to situations such as sinking buildings or landslides. Other concepts, such as soil erosion, soil compaction, and soil salinization, pertain to different aspects of soil health and structure and do not specifically describe the collapse resulting from moisture saturation.