Avalanche

Alternative definitions (8), class: vernacular (0)
Term: Avalanche
Definition: A mass of snow (perhaps containing ice and rocks) moving rapidly down a steep mountain slope. Avalanches may be characterized as loose and turbulent, or slab; either type may be dry or wet according to the nature of the snow forming it, although dry snow usually forms loose avalanches and wet snow forms slabs. A large avalanche sweeps a current of air along with and in front of it as an avalanche wind, which supplements its already tremendous destructive force. (Also called snowslide.)
Created 2022.03.08
Last Modified 2023.03.27
Contributed by GCW Glossary
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