TYPES OF AVALANCHES
DRY (POWDER) AVALANCHE- these are extremely violent and seize up like concrete when they come to a stop. In front of the powder is an air blast which is strong enough to explode your lungs.
ICE & CORNICE FALL AVALANCHE- occurs when overhanging ice and snow breaks off. Ilants the equivalent of a waterfall just with regards to ice. They can be large and travel long distances. Cornices are elegant snow structures formed by wind drifting snow onto the downwind side of an obstacle. These avalanches cause less death.
LOOSE SNOW AVALANCHE- this is basically loose snow sliding down a mountain.
DRY SLAB AVALANCHE- main cause of deaths in the case of avalanches. This is caused when a plate of snow suddenly slides away. Typically it is about half the size of a football field.
WET AVALANCHE- a flow of snow, ice, rock, and other materials that occurs as a result of thawing. They normally occur at the end of or late period of the snow season.
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