Question

Which of the following statements about avalanches are correct?

1. An avalanche refers to a significant mass of snow or ice that rapidly slides down a mountainside under the influence of gravity.
2. Avalanches occur when the cohesive forces holding the snowpack together become greater than the weight on the upper layers.
3. As an avalanche descends, it often incorporates additional material from beneath the snowpack, such as soil, rocks, and vegetation.

• A. 3 മാത്രം
• B. 2, 3
• C. 1
• D. 1, 3

Answer 1

Answer:

D. 1, 3

• Avalanches are powerful natural phenomena driven by gravity, where a large mass of snow or ice detaches and slides rapidly down a slope. They typically occur when the accumulated weight of snow (the 'load') exceeds the internal strength and bonding within the snowpack. This instability can be triggered by various factors, including new snowfall, temperature changes, or external disturbances. The cascading motion not only involves the initial snow but can also sweep up ground materials, significantly increasing its destructive potential.