Avalanche
Context:
Recently, a glacier avalanche hit a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) project site at Mana village in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district.
Relevance:
GS-01 (Geography)
What is an avalanche?
- It is a sudden, rapid flow of snow, ice, and debris down a mountain or slope.
- Triggers responsible for avalanche: Human interference, Heavy snowfall, Frequent temperature changes.
- There are three types of avalanches: Rock Avalanches, Debris Avalanches, Ice Avalanches.
Factors Contributing to Avalanches
- Climatic Influences
- Heavy snowfall, sudden temperature shifts, and strong winds create unstable snow layers.
- Rainfall can weaken snowpack cohesion, increasing avalanche risks.
- Terrain Characteristics
- Steep, convex slopes are more prone to snow slides.
- The orientation of a slope relative to sun and wind exposure affects snow stability.
- Snowpack Instability
- Weak layers within the snowpack can collapse under stress, triggering avalanches.
- Variations in snow density and bonding impact overall stability.
- Human Triggers
- Activities like skiing, snowmobiling, and hiking can disturb fragile snow layers.
- Sudden weight shifts on unstable slopes can initiate slides.
- Natural Disturbances
- Seismic activities, volcanic eruptions, and rockfalls can dislodge snow masses.
- Strong vibrations from natural events may cause large-scale avalanches.
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