What phenomenon can occur due to liquefaction during an earthquake?

Liquefaction is a process that can occur during an earthquake when saturated soil temporarily loses its strength and rigidity, causing it to behave like a liquid. This typically happens in areas where the soil is loosely packed and water-saturated, such as in river deltas or coastal regions.

When an earthquake's vibrations disturb the soil, pore water pressure can increase, leading to a loss of contact between soil particles. As a result, structures built upon this unstable foundation, such as office buildings, can experience sinking, tilting, or even complete collapse as they lose their support from the underlying soil. This phenomenon illustrates the crucial relationship between soil type, moisture content, and seismic activity, as well as the importance of proper construction techniques in earthquake-prone areas.

Other options refer to geological events that do not directly result from liquefaction. The formation of large sinkholes typically involves Karst processes rather than liquefaction. Tsunamis are generated by underwater disturbances, such as tectonic plate movements or volcanic eruptions, and are unrelated to soil behavior during earthquakes. Similarly, while earthquakes can contribute to the destruction of mountain ranges over long periods through tectonic forces, this process does not directly involve liquefaction phenomena. Thus, sinking office buildings is