Snow avalanche: what is it, how it originates and what to do

A snow avalanche is a natural phenomenon in which A large amount of snow, ice and rocks descend abruptly by a slope of mountain. A snow avalanche is triggered when there is a Significant snow accumulation on an inclined slope. This event can be highly dangerous for both people and other living beings, and for properties. It occurs due to a series of interrelated factors.

Gravity, combined with the slope and pressure Exerted by snow, it can overcome the friction that snow maintains in its place. This causes a mass of snow, often mixed with ice and rocks, move down at high speed.

The factors that contribute to the formation of snow avalanches include weather conditions, such as the amount of newly dropped snow and temperature, as well as the slope of the mountain and the stability of the existing snow layer. Seismic movementslike earthquakes, they can also trigger avalanches.

In general terms, the mountain slope plays a critical role in the formation of snow avalanches. The more pronounced the slope, the more the risk of triggering an avalanche will be. The accumulation of fresh snow, the weather conditions, such as wind and temperaturesand other factors such as very strong sounds and vibrationssuch as explosions or clashes, they also influence the stability of the snow layer and, therefore, the probability of avalanches.

Snow avalanches can be divided into three main categories according to their origin and characteristics:

Plate avalanches

• Accumulation of snow layers: These avalanches occur when the snow layers accumulate progressively over time. The snow layers are stacked on each other, and the upper layer can be dense or weaker than the lower layers.
• Fracture areas: The upper snow layer, known as “plaque”, can be broken in a weak area due to additional overload, as a person who moves on it or a storm that adds more snow weight.
• Plate sliding: Once the fracture occurs, the snow plate slides over the lower layers as a unit, generating an avalanche. This type of avalanche is usually more dangerous due to its ability to drag large amounts of snow and rocks.

Snave avalanches loose

• Varied causes: These avalanches are triggered by the accumulation of loose snow on a steep slope. They can be caused by factors such as the wind deposited snow on a hillside or a person who makes a sharp movement on the snow surface.
• Small scale: Although they can be smaller than plate avalanches, loose snow avalanches can still be dangerous, especially if they occur in steep terrain.

Mixed avalanches

• Combination of factors: These avalanches involve a combination of loose snow and snow plates. For example, a loose snow layer can slide on an existing plate, resulting in a mixed avalanche.
• Variables and dangerous: Mixed avalanches can be particularly dangerous due to their complexity and variety of factors involved.

In case of being trapped in an avalanche of snow or witnessing one, it is essential to act quickly and follow some security guidelines to increase your survival possibilities. Here are some key actions that you must take:

• Try to escape the danger area: Whenever possible, try to move to the side or up the avalanche to get away from your career. If you can reach a safer area, do it.
• Activate an avalanche victims location device (DVA): If you carry a DVA, act it so that the people who accompany you can locate yourself more easily in case you are trapped under the snow.
• Try to keep calm: If you are dragged by the avalanche, try to keep calm. Humans are denser than snow, so they tend to float near the surface. Try to maintain an air bag in front of your mouth to breathe.
• Try to grab a solid object: If you are being dragged by the avalanche, try to grab a solid object, such as a tree or a rock, to avoid being buried under the snow.
• Nothing in the direction of the flow: If you are being dragged, try to swim in the direction of the flow of the avalanche to keep you close to the surface and avoid being deeply buried.
• Make noise: It emits strong noises so that nearby people can locate you.
• Try to create an air bag: If you are buried under the snow, try to create an air bag in front of your face moving your arms and hands. This will allow you to breathe while waiting to be rescued.
• Keep energy and oxygen: Even if you have to make noise, avoid shouting exaggeratedly or for a long time, or perform unnecessary movements that consume oxygen and energy. Try to keep calm and keep your resources.
• Wait for the rescue: Once the avalanche stops, wait for the rescue. People who are with you or who have witnessed the avalanche should alert emergency services and rescue equipment as soon as possible. The faster they arrive, the better your chances of surviving.

Preventing a snow avalanche is essential to guarantee the safety of people found in areas prone to snow avalanches. Although you cannot avoid 100%, there are some ways not to fall into it:

• Know the land and conditions: Before venturing in mountainous areas, find out about the current conditions of the terrain and climate.
• Evaluate snow stability: Make an evaluation of the stability of the snow layer before venturing in the terrain prone to avalanches.
• Use proper equipment: When you venture in areas at risk of avalanches, it carries the necessary security equipment, which includes a device for locating avalanche victims (DVA), a snow shovel and a probe.
• Travel in groups and communicate your itinerary: Do not venture only in areas prone to avalanches. In addition, communicate to someone you trust your itinerary and estimated time back.
• Keep the distance and avoid steep pending: When choosing routes, keep the appropriate distance between the group members and avoid steep slopes with snow accumulation.
• Avoid sudden changes in snow load: Avoid sudden movements or activities that can add an additional load to the snow layer, such as jumping or making steep cuts while skies or making snowboard.

You have learned more about snow avalanches. Now, perhaps you are interested in learning about other types of natural disasters that exist and landslides: causes, consequences and how to prevent them.

If you want to read more articles similar to Snow avalanche: what is it, how it originates and what to dowe recommend that you enter our category of meteorological phenomena.