Avalanche
Avalanche
Avalanche (pronounced: /ˈavəˌlanch/) is a rapid flow of snow down a sloping surface. Avalanches are typically triggered in a starting zone from a mechanical failure in the snowpack (slab avalanche) when the forces of the snow exceed its strength but sometimes only with gradually widening (loose snow avalanche).
Etymology
The term 'Avalanche' is derived from the French word 'Avalanche', which itself is a derivative of the Latin word 'Vallanca' meaning 'falling.'
Related Terms
- Snowpack: An accumulated mass of snow that compresses and forms layers as it succumbs to its own weight.
- Slab Avalanche: A type of avalanche where a cohesive layer of snow breaks away and slides down the slope.
- Loose Snow Avalanche: An avalanche that starts from a single point and expands as it moves downhill, entraining more snow.
- Starting Zone: The most common area where an avalanche can begin, typically above the treeline on a slope of 30–45°, with specific snowpack conditions.
See Also
References
- Avalanche.org (n.d.). Avalanche Basics. Retrieved from https://avalanche.org/avalanche-education/
- National Snow and Ice Data Center (n.d.). All About Avalanches. Retrieved from https://nsidc.org/cryosphere/snow/science/avalanches.html
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Avalanche
- Wikipedia's article - Avalanche
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