Quick facts about Avalanches
- During World War I, approximately 50,000 soldiers died as a result of avalanches during the mountain campaign in the Alps at the Austrian-Italian front, many of which were caused by artillery fire.
- In the past 10 years, France has recorded more avalanche fatalities than any other country.
- Snow is most unstable after and during snowfalls or prolonged heating by the sun, especially on steep inclines.
- Each year, avalanches claim more than 150 lives worldwide.
- Snow on a steep enough hill can avalanche. Gravity is the force acting on the snow.
- 89% of avalanche victims are men and most are between the ages of 20 and 30.
- Smooth grassy slopes are the most dangerous spots, but avalanches can start among trees under conditions of stress.
- The highest number of fatalities occurs in the winter months (January through March).
- A significant number of deaths occur in May and June, demonstrating the hidden danger behind spring snows and the melting season that catches many recreationists off-guard.
- Gullies are many times more hazardous than open slopes because they act as natural avalanche chutes.
- In 90% of avalanche accidents, the victim, or someone in the victim's party, triggered the avalanche.
- Avalanches cannot be triggered by sound as the forces exerted by the pressures in sound waves are far too low. The very large shockwaves produced by explosions can trigger avalanches, however, if they are close enough to the surface.
- Two avalanches occurred in March 1910 in the Rocky Mountains; On March 1 the Wellington avalanche killed 96 in Washington State. Three days later 62 railroad workers were killed in the Rogers Pass avalanche in British Columbia.
