Summary:
Describes the impact and characteristics of avalanche hazards. Examples are provided. Details how classification of avalanches have changed throughout history.
Avalanches are rapid downhill movements of snow, ice and/or rock. They occur like landslide movements when the weight of the material can overcome the friction. Debris starts to descend at considerable speeds under the force of gravity. Average speeds are between 40-60 km/hr but depending on the category of the avalanche, video evidence has shown tremendous speeds of up to 200 km/hr. Avalanches are widely spread globally and are commonly found in mountainous areas. Popular places for extreme sports are also at these locations because the conditions are ideal. For example: Courcheval in the French Alps is very popular, Shomanix in France and Valais in Switzerland
In the 19th century, avalanches were classified in simple terms stating there were two types of snow, airborne and ground-hugging; these spilt into a 2 further ways of how they moved......
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