Which risk increases when an ancient Incan agricultural terrace experiences sustained freeze-thaw cycles?

💡 Explanation

When freeze-thaw cycles occur, water expands upon freezing within the soil and between the terrace stones, increasing the pore pressure which causes deformation and can eventually exceed the soil shear strength, leading to slope failure. Therefore, landslide potential increases, rather than only nutrient leaching, rock weathering, or simple root damage, although those also appear to some extent.

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