What is a potential trigger for an avalanche?

What is a potential trigger for an avalanche?

• A. Sudden rain
• B. Lightning strikes
• C. Human activities or animals
• D. All of the above

Answer: (C)

A potential trigger for an avalanche can be linked to human activities or animals, as their movement can disturb the snowpack and change the stability of the layers within it. This disruption may lead to a failure in the snow layers, resulting in an avalanche. Common examples include skiers, snowboarders, or even animals like mountain goats that may inadvertently cause the snow to slide by exerting pressure on weak layers. While sudden rain can also be a triggering factor, as it can increase the weight of the snow and reduce stability, and lightning strikes could potentially cause disturbances in certain situations, the most direct and frequent triggers in practice are indeed related to human actions or animal movements. These activities commonly introduce dynamic forces that lead to avalanches more reliably than other factors.

A potential trigger for an avalanche can be linked to human activities or animals, as their movement can disturb the snowpack and change the stability of the layers within it. This disruption may lead to a failure in the snow layers, resulting in an avalanche. Common examples include skiers, snowboarders, or even animals like mountain goats that may inadvertently cause the snow to slide by exerting pressure on weak layers.

While sudden rain can also be a triggering factor, as it can increase the weight of the snow and reduce stability, and lightning strikes could potentially cause disturbances in certain situations, the most direct and frequent triggers in practice are indeed related to human actions or animal movements. These activities commonly introduce dynamic forces that lead to avalanches more reliably than other factors.