An avalanche is a sudden, rapid flow of snow, ice, and debris down a mountain or slope.
- Rock Avalanches: Consist of large segments of shattered rock
- Ice Avalanches: Occur in the vicinity of a glacier
- Debris Avalanches: Contain a variety of unconsolidated materials, such as loose stones and soil.
Causes
- Presence of steep slopes
- Heavy snowfall on mountain slopes
- Strong winds
- Vertical layers of snowfall may move downward as a result of gravity.
- Rising temperatures are leading to the melting of snow
- Earthquake
- Construction activities
- Deforestation
- Winter sports activities
Measures to deal with an avalanche
- Accurate avalanche prediction
- Avalanche detention wall.
- Avalanche forecasters combine their historical knowledge of past conditions with their knowledge of the affected terrain, current weather, and current snowpack conditions to predict when and where avalanches are most likely to occur.
- Avalanche mitigation wall.
Source: The Hindu