At three localities in Svalbard, there are unusual geomorphological features, where solifluidal sediment bodies were at first eroded at the bottom and not at the top, as should normally be expected. It is suggested that the thermoerosion of the refrozen solifluidal sediment is caused by water running down the valleys or gullies it blocks. Thermoerosion affects the lower part of the frozen sediment, whereas the upper part remains frozen, thus creating a bridge-like feature and, consequently, subsurface drainage over shorter distances. As all three localities have a similar lithology in common, this seems to be a significant factor.