Avalanches

Question 1

What is an avalanche?

Answer 1

A mass of snow and ice that moves very rapidly down a mountain side

Question 2

What LAYERS of snow can cause an avalanche?

Answer 2

Upper layers

Question 3

What are some impacts of avalanches?

Answer 3

-It can obstruct anything in its path ;this includes roads, railways, power supplies, trees and can even destroy buildings.
-90 percent of people who die in avalanches trigger it themselves.
-people usually die from lack of oxygen when buried in the snow.

Question 4

State some ways to protect against avalanches

Answer 4

-Hand above snow
-create air pockets
-move above the break line
-move to the side of the snow
-grab a sturdy tree
-‘swim’ to top of snow
-cover face, if submerged
-breathe deeply before snow hardens

Question 5

State some ways of reducing avalanche hazards

Answer 5

-Wooden fences to hold snow on slopes
-plant trees to prevent avalanches from starting
-walls on steep slopes to hold snow
-mounds to slow avalanches of flatter ground
-wedges to protect electricity pylons