Avalanches

An avalanche happens when a huge pile of snow suddenly slides down a mountain. It can move very fast and be very powerful. Avalanches can knock down trees and bury anything in their path. They are one of the biggest dangers for people in snowy mountains.

What Causes Avalanches

Avalanches start when the snow on a steep slope becomes unstable. New snow falling on top of old, icy snow can slip off. A loud noise, a skier, or even a strong wind can start one. Warm weather can also melt the snow and make it slide. Most avalanches happen on slopes that are steep but not too steep.

Staying Safe

People who go into the mountains in winter must be careful. Experts watch the weather and warn others about avalanche danger. Skiers and snowboarders wear special gear that can help find them if they get buried. Rescue teams use trained dogs to sniff out people in the snow. Learning about snow safety can save lives.

Fun Facts

• An avalanche can travel faster than 200 miles per hour.
• Most avalanches happen during or right after a snowstorm.
• Some avalanches can move enough snow to fill a million dump trucks.

Did You Know?

Rescue dogs can smell a person buried under many feet of snow. A well-trained dog can search an area faster than 20 human rescuers.