disaster 5th 1108_5th ed 2011 - Homeland Security and Emergency ...
disaster 5th 1108_5th ed 2011 - Homeland Security and Emergency ...
disaster 5th 1108_5th ed 2011 - Homeland Security and Emergency ...
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What are YOU gonna do about…<br />
AVALANCHES, LANDSLIDES & MUDFLOWS<br />
Avalanches - masses of loosen<strong>ed</strong> snow or ice that tumble down the side of<br />
a mountain, often growing as it descends picking up mud, rocks, trees <strong>and</strong><br />
debris trigger<strong>ed</strong> by various means including wind, rapid warming, snow<br />
conditions <strong>and</strong> humans.<br />
L<strong>and</strong>slides - masses of rock, earth or debris that move down a slope <strong>and</strong><br />
can be caus<strong>ed</strong> by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, <strong>and</strong> by humans who<br />
develop on l<strong>and</strong> that is unstable.<br />
Mudflows - rivers of rock, earth, <strong>and</strong> other debris soak<strong>ed</strong> with water mostly<br />
caus<strong>ed</strong> by melting snow or heavy rains <strong>and</strong> create a “slurry”. A “slurry”<br />
can travel several miles from its source <strong>and</strong> grows in size as it picks up<br />
trees, cars, <strong>and</strong> other things along the way just like an avalanche!<br />
Please note, first we cover some very basic things on avalanches then we’ll<br />
cover l<strong>and</strong>slides <strong>and</strong> mudflows.<br />
Avalanche Basics<br />
Snow avalanches are a natural process <strong>and</strong> happen about a million times<br />
per year worldwide. Contrary to what is shown in the movies, avalanches<br />
are not trigger<strong>ed</strong> by loud noises like a shout or a sonic boom -- it’s just not<br />
enough force. An avalanche is actually form<strong>ed</strong> by a combination of<br />
several things -- a steep slope (the terrain), the snowpack, a weak layer in<br />
the snowpack, <strong>and</strong> a natural or artificial “trigger”.<br />
Nearly everyone caught in an avalanche is skiing, snowboarding, riding a<br />
snowmobile, snowshoeing, hiking or climbing in the backcountry <strong>and</strong> they,<br />
or someone in their party, almost always trigger the avalanche. According<br />
to the American Avalanche Association, the majority of victims are white,<br />
<strong>ed</strong>ucat<strong>ed</strong> men between the ages of 18-35 who are very skill<strong>ed</strong> at their sport.<br />
BEFORE AN AVALANCHE:<br />
Learn risks - Ask about local risks by contacting your local emergency<br />
management office (see Section 4 for State <strong>and</strong> Provincial listings),<br />
especially if visiting or moving to an “avalanche-prone” area.<br />
Take a course - Professional trainers <strong>and</strong> <strong>ed</strong>ucators offer a variety of avalanche<br />
safety training courses <strong>and</strong> levels ranging from recreational novices<br />
to backcountry experts. To learn more visit www.avalanche.org<br />
www.itsa<strong>disaster</strong>.net or call 1-888-999-4325<br />
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