Which kinds of soil are most vulnerable to frost heaving?

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permafrost Distribution of permafrost in the Northern Hemisphere.

Frost heaving is most prevalent in soils composed of silt-sized and silty clay-sized sediments.1

These fine-grained materials are particularly vulnerable when located in regions characterized by rigorous climate conditions and poor drainage. In polar environments, the presence of underlying permafrost further exacerbates the issue by preventing water from draining, which creates the ideal conditions for the freezing and thawing cycles that drive frost action.1