Avalanche

mountains · snow · powerful nature

Snow slides fast. An avalanche is when lots of snow suddenly rushes down a slope at high speed. Gravity pulls the snow downward, and once it starts moving, it picks up more and more snow as it goes.

Many triggers. Avalanches can start on their own from heavy new snow or weak spots in the snowpack, or they can be set off by people, animals, earthquakes, or loud noises that shake the mountain.

Captures everything. As an avalanche crashes down, it's not just snow moving. It can scoop up rocks, ice chunks, and even trees, turning it into a powerful wall of destruction that's hard to stop.

Snow and air mix. An avalanche is mostly made of flowing snow mixed with air, which makes it move incredibly fast and far down the mountainside.