1. World problems
  2. Avalanches

Avalanches

Nature

Avalanches are masses of snow moving rapidly down a mountain slope or cliff and are responsible for a large number of injuries each year, particularly on building and civil engineering sites in mountainous areas. There are two main types of avalanche: slab avalanches and avalanches of loose snow.

Various factors intervene in the release of avalanches. A heavy fall of snow may produce a layer of snow that moves as an immediate avalanche within 3 days of its deposition. The structure of the snow layer is one of the prime factors in avalanche causation; wind and temperature are other decisive factors. Avalanches usually occur during periods of high wind which cause overloading and wind slabs. There is usually a rise in temperature, a factor that normally accompanies heavy precipitations; this temperature rise reduces the cohesion between snow strata but at the same time promotes compaction and consolidation. Temperature rise therefore has a dangerous effect at first, which does not persist except when there is significant melting. On slopes with an incline of over 140% there is no danger of avalanche since the snow cannot accumulate over the long term. The lower limit of dangerous incline is quite low (30%), although avalanche defence construction is not built on slopes of less than 70% incline. Local conditions such as relatively smooth ground surfaces or the presence of convex slopes will increase the avalanche hazard.

Incidence

Immediate avalanches account for 60-80% of all avalanches and, for example, the Alpine avalanche disasters of 1951 were the consequence of exceptionally heavy snowfalls. In France it is accepted that, at an altitude of 1,500 m, following snowfalls of 50 mm water equivalent (about 50 cm of snow), there is a serious avalanche hazard. When a level of 100 mm water equivalent has been exceeded, the danger becomes widespread and avalanches are numerous.

Claim

Avalanches pose a significant threat to both human life and the environment, making them a critical issue that demands urgent attention. With climate change increasing the frequency and intensity of these natural disasters, we must prioritize research, education, and safety measures. Communities in mountainous regions are at constant risk, and the devastating consequences can be catastrophic. Ignoring this problem not only endangers lives but also disrupts ecosystems. We must act now to mitigate this pressing danger.This information has been generated by artificial intelligence.

Counter-claim

While avalanches can pose risks in specific mountainous regions, they are not a significant global problem. The frequency of avalanches is relatively low compared to other natural disasters, and advancements in forecasting and safety measures have greatly reduced their impact. Moreover, the areas affected are often remote, with limited populations. Focusing on more pressing issues like climate change, poverty, and global health would yield far greater benefits than overemphasizing the threat of avalanches.This information has been generated by artificial intelligence.

Broader

Narrower

Snow avalanches
Presentable
Rock avalanches
Yet to rate

Aggravates

Tsunamis
Presentable

Related

Landslides
Presentable
Coastal erosion
Presentable
Ground failures
Unpresentable

Reference

SDG

Sustainable Development Goal #13: Climate Action

Metadata

Database
World problems
Type
(D) Detailed problems
Biological classification
N/A
Subject
  • Climatology » Climatology
  • Content quality
    Presentable
     Presentable
    Language
    English
    1A4N
    D1146
    DOCID
    11411460
    D7NID
    153156
    Last update
    Oct 4, 2020