Avalanche
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An avalanche (also called a snowslide or snowslip) is a sudden, drastic flow of snow down a slope, occurring when either natural triggers, such as loading from new snow or rain, or artificial triggers, such as snowmobilers, explosives or backcountry skiers, overload the snowpack. The influence of gravity on the accumulated weight of newly fallen uncompacted snow or on thawing older snow leads to avalanches which may be triggered by earthquakes, gunshots and the movements of animals. Avalanches are most common during winter or spring but glacier movements may cause ice avalanches during summer. Avalanches cause loss of life and can destroy settlements, roads, railways and forests. Typically occurring in mountainous terrain, an avalanche can mix air and water with the descending snow. Powerful avalanches have the capability to entrain ice, rocks, trees, and other material on the slope. Avalanches are primarily composed of flowing snow, and are distinct from mudslides, rock slides, and serac collapses on an icefall. Avalanches are not rare or random events and are endemic to any mountain range that accumulates a standing snowpack. In mountainous terrain avalanches are among the most serious objective hazards to life and property, with their destructive capability resulting from their potential to carry an enormous mass of snow rapidly over large distances.
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| The Avalanche Education Project The Avalanche Education Project www.virtualmountains.ca - Web |
| Surviving an Avalanche - A guide for children and ... Surviving an Avalanche - A guide for children and youth www.edu4hazards.org/avalanche.html - Web |
| Avalanche Awareness Avalanche Awareness nsidc.org/snow/avalanche/ - Web |
Gallery for «Avalanche»
- Crown line on neve glacier snow field peak north cascades.jpg
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| Avalanche Defense Photographs Avalanche Defense Photographs www.fao.org/DOCREP/006/AD075E/AD075e09.htm - Web |
| Canadian Avalanche Association Canadian Avalanche Association www.avalanche.ca - Web |
| CBC Digital Archives – Avalanche! CBC Digital Archives – Avalanche! archives.cbc.ca/IDD-1-75-1483/science_technology/avalanches/ - Web |
| Colorado Avalanche Information Center Colorado Avalanche Information Center avalanche.state.co.us - Web |
| Center for Snow and Avalanche Studies Center for Snow and Avalanche Studies www.snowstudies.org - Web |
| Directory of European avalanche services Directory of European avalanche services www.slf.ch/laworg/map.html - Web |
| Swiss Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche Res... Swiss Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research www.slf.ch/welcome-en.html - Web |
| sportscotland Avalanche Information Service sportscotland Avalanche Information Service www.sais.gov.uk - Web |
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| Evidence of heuristic traps in recreational avalan... Evidence of heuristic traps in recreational avalanche accidents monosar.org/.../article_avalanche_study_mccammon_human_factors_traps.pdf - Web |
