What exactly is an avalanche?

An avalanche is a mass of snow, rock, ice, and soil that tumbles down a mountain.

What is avalanche in easy language?

1 : a large mass of snow, ice, earth, rock, or other material in swift motion down a mountainside or over a precipice. 2 : a sudden great or overwhelming rush or accumulation of something hit by an avalanche of paperwork.

Why is it called an avalanche?

According to etymological dictionaries, “avalanche” first appeared in print in French in the 17th century. It comes from the old French word avaler, meaning “descend” or “go down.” It became the modern verb for “to swallow.” Aval today means “downstream” and derives from the phrase à val, “toward the valley.”

What is the meaning of avalanche in a sentence?

Definition of Avalanche. an unexpected accumulation. Examples of Avalanche in a sentence. 1. During the power outage, our office faced an avalanche of distress calls.

Which is the best definition of an avalanche?

noun. 1 A mass of snow, ice, and rocks falling rapidly down a mountainside. ‘During interglacial periods the steep, unstable U-shaped valley sides are subject to mass movements such as rock falls and large rock avalanches.’. ‘Only on a mountain can you experience avalanches of snow or rock.’.

Who is the American Institute for avalanche research and education?

The American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education AIARE was established in 1998 as a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit educational organization to create a researched-based avalanche education model for backcountry users with the belief that avalanche education, research, and training can prevent injuries and fatalities due to avalanches.

Which is the best Avalanche course to take?

LEVEL 1: Current and aspiring backcountry travelers. This three-day course (24 hours of instruction, combination classroom and field), taught by experienced avalanche professionals, will introduce you to the concepts of avalanche hazard assessment, decision-making, and rescue.

Who are avalanche experts at Colorado Mountain College?

Designed by industry experts from the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, Colorado Mountain College and the U.S. Forest Service, the program prepares current and aspiring avalanche workers with comprehensive training and education.