Avalanches

Avalanches have always occurred in the mountainous regions of the world though with the growth of winter-time recreations, fatalities have been on the rise since the 1950s. Avalanches claim over 150 lives each year worldwide and hundreds more are injured or trapped following an avalanche.

Ninety percent of all avalanches occur on moderate slopes with an angle of 30° to 45°. Avalanches occur when the gravity pushing the collection of snow at the top of the slope is greater than the strength of the snow itself.