An avalanche is a downhill slide of a large mass, usually of snow, ice, or rock debris prompted by a small initial disturbance. Avalanches, along with landslides, are one of the major natural disasters that still present significant danger for people...

A sudden slide of snow and ice, usually in mountainous areas where there is heavy snow accumulation on moderate to steep slopes. Snow avalanches flow at an average speed of 80 mph (130 km/hr), and their length can range from less than 300 ft (100 m)...

An avalanche is a rapid downslope movement of some combination of rock, regolith, snow, slush, and ice. The movement can occur by any combination of sliding, falling, and rolling of pieces within the avalanche mass, but is generally very rapid....

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An avalanche is a flow of snow down a mountainside. Avalanches are among the biggest dangers in the mountains for both life and property. Many factors contribute to avalanches. Point-release avalanches occur when the weight of the snowpack exceeds the...

By Knox Williams, Director, Colorado, Avalanche Information Center Recent history demonstrates danger of snowslides in the Rockies Avalanches are common occurrences in Colorado and other Rocky Mountain states. And they can suddenly and unexpectedly affect the lives of those living, working...

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Crews fired artillery shells Sunday to safely trigger avalanches before they could pose a threat to traffic on a mountain highway, a day after a huge snow slide knocked two cars off the road in a high pass and buried them.Eight people had to be...

Describes the impact and characteristics of avalanche hazards. Examples are provided. Details how classification of avalanches have changed throughout history.

A review of a lecture on rock flows and avalanches, delivered by Richard Iverson of the U.S. Geological Survey in April 2005.