A 

mudflow or mud flow is a form of mass wasting involving "very rapid to extremely

rapid surging flow" of debris that has become partially or fully liquified by the addition of
significant amounts of water to the source material.Mudflow deposits are poorly
sorted mixtures of silt, boulders, organic materials, and other debris.
They have abrupt and well-defined edges, irregular surfaces, and a
lobate appearance; they may be 3 to 6 m (10 to 20 feet) high. Such
deposits are extensive on alluvial fans and around the bases of many
volcanoes.

Mudflows occur on steep slopes where vegetation is not sufficient to

prevent rapid erosion but can occur on gentle slopes if other
conditions are met. Other factors are heavy precipitation in short
periods and an easily erodible source material. Mudflows can be
generated in any climatic regime but are most common in arid and
semiarid areas. They may rush down a mountainside at speeds as
great as 100 km (60 miles) per hour and can cause great damage to life
and property. Boulders as large as houses have been moved by
mudflows.

Mudflow deposits are poorly sorted mixtures of silt, boulders, organic

materials, and other debris. They have abrupt and well-defined edges,
irregular surfaces, and a lobate appearance; they may be 3 to 6 m (10
to 20 feet) high. Such deposits are extensive on alluvial fans and
around the bases of many volcanoes.