DISASTER! - Homeland Security and Emergency Management ...

What are YOU gonna do about…AVALANCHES, LANDSLIDES & MUDFLOWS?Avalanches - masses of loosened snow or ice that tumble down the side ofa mountain, often growing as it descends picking up mud, rocks, trees anddebris triggered by various means including wind, rapid warming, snowconditions and humans.Landslides - masses of rock, earth or debris that move down a slope andcan be caused by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and by humans whodevelop on land that is unstable.Mudflows - rivers of rock, earth, and other debris soaked with water mostlycaused by melting snow or heavy rains and create a “slurry”. A “slurry”can travel several miles from its source and grows in size as it picks uptrees, cars, and other things along the way just like an avalanche!Please note, first we cover some very basic things on avalanches then we’llcover landslides and mudflows.Avalanche BasicsSnow avalanches are a natural process and happen about a million timesper year worldwide. Contrary to what is shown in the movies, avalanchesare not triggered by loud noises like a shout or a sonic boom -- it’s just notenough force. An avalanche is actually formed by a combination ofseveral things -- a steep slope (the terrain), the snowpack, a weak layer inthe snowpack, and a natural or artificial “trigger”.Nearly everyone caught in an avalanche is skiing, snowboarding, riding asnowmobile, snowshoeing, hiking or climbing in the backcountry and they,or someone in their party, almost always trigger the avalanche. Accordingto the American Avalanche Association, the majority of victims are white,educated men between the ages of 18-35 who are very skilled at their sport.BEFORE AN AVALANCHE:Learn risks - Ask about local risks by contacting your local emergencymanagement office (see Section 4 for State and Provincial listings),especially if visiting or moving to an “avalanche-prone” area.Take a course - Professional trainers and educators offer a variety of avalanchesafety training courses and levels ranging from recreational novicesto backcountry experts. To learn more visit www.avalanche.orgwww.itsadisaster.net or call 1-888-999-432537