Avalanche

:This article refers to the natural event. For other uses, see Avalanche (disambiguation)

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An avalanche is caused when a build up of snow is released down a slope, and is one of the major dangers faced in the mountains in winter. An avalanche is an example of a gravity current consisting of granular material.

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In an avalanche, lots of material or mixtures of different types of material fall or slide rapidly under the force of gravity. Avalanches are often classified by what they are made of, for example snow, ice, rock or soil avalanches. A mixture of these would be called a debris avalanche.

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A large avalanche can run for miles, and can create massive destruction of the lower forest and anything else in its path. For example, in Montroc, France, in 1999 300,000 cubic metres of snow slid on a 30 degree slope, achieving a speed of 100 km/h. It killed 12 people in their chalets under 100,000 tons of snow, 5 meters deep. The Mayor of Chamonix was charged with manslaughter. http://www.pistehors.com/articles/avalanche/montroc.htm

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During World War I, over 60,000 soldiers died as a result of avalanches during the mountain campaign in the Alps, many of which were caused by artillery fire. However, it is very doubtful avalanches were used as deliberate weapons; more likely they were simply a side benefit to shelling enemy troops, occasionally adding to the toll taken by the artillery. Avalanche prediction is difficult even with detailed weather reports and core samples from the snowpack. It would be almost impossible to predict avalanche conditions many miles behind enemy lines, making it impossible to intentionally target a slope at risk for avalanches. Also, high priority targets received continual shelling and would be unable to build up enough unstable snow to form devastating avalanches, effectively imitating the avalanche prevention programs at ski resorts.

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Snow: Snow is precipitation in the form of crystalline water ice, consisting of a multitude of snowflakes. Since it is composed of small rough particles it is a granular material. It has an open and therefore soft structure, unless packed by external pressure....

Mountain: A mountain is a landform that extends above the surrounding terrain in a limited area. A mountain is generally much higher and steeper than a hill, but there is considerable overlap, and usage often depends on local custom. Some authorities define a mountain as a peak with a topographic prominence ...

Winter: Winter is one of the four seasons of temperate zones. Astronomically, it begins with the winter solstice (around December 21 in the Northern hemisphere and June 21 in the Southern hemisphere), and ends with the spring equinox (around March 21 in the Northern hemisphere and September 23 in the Southe...

Avalanche related Images and Photos (experimental)

Avalanche Express	Avalanche Logo -Fathead	Colorado Avalanche - Logo	Avalanche Kousa Dogwood Flower (Cornus Kousa Avalanche) Bernheim Forest Kentucky USA
Colorado Avalanche Wool & Distressed Leather Jacket	Colorado Avalanche 2011 Desk Pad	Gundam 00 Avalanche Exia 1:100 Scale Model Kit	Colorado Avalanche 2011 Desk Calendar
Colorado Avalanche 2011 Wall Calendar	Colorado Avalanche 2012 Wall Calendar	Colorado Avalanche 2012 Desk Calendar	Glacier National Park - Avalanche Creek Flora