Concept in Definition ABC

Snow or mud can move in large quantities, quickly and with a destructive effect. The natural phenomenon with these characteristics is an avalanche. In relation to animals or humans, an avalanche occurs when a large number of individuals move towards a place in an agitated way and said movement is associated with some risk or danger potential.

In Spanish the words avalancha and alud are used as equivalent terms in the field of geology. In relation to animals and humans, the word avalanche is synonymous with stampede.

Land slide

This phenomenon is the result of heavy rains in a mountainous area with a steep terrain. In this way, the excessive accumulation of water in the land causes the mountain slopes to lose their stability and as As a result, the earth is detached from the main crust and an accumulation of mud in the form of avalanche.

Its consequences can be very diverse: falling trees, devastation of crops or the destruction of inhabited areas by the overwhelming effect of the mud. Sometimes this type of displacement generates death and destruction, as well as economic and environmental losses.

Snow avalanche

Snow layers in mountainous areas are found in Balance if the weight of the snow and the type of slope of a slope have some counterweight or resistance (for example, the cohesion of the snow itself). This balance can disappear due to some cause (for example, due to an abundant fall of snow or rain or by the force of the wind).

When an imbalance occurs, an avalanche of snow is triggered. This phenomenon occurs at a great velocity and its effects are very dangerous.

Avalanches also occur in animals and humans

In the animal world, migratory phenomena occur periodically. In them, a large number of animals travel long distances in order to search for food or a weather more benign. Large herds can have all kinds of destructive effects (for example, on crops or in relation to some human settlement).

There are human agglomerations in which social upheaval or violence ends up producing a displacement out of control of people. When this happens, we speak of a human avalanche. This name is used to describe events that eventually turn into catastrophes of a different nature.

Although the term avalanche is often used to describe the migratory movements of animals or in tragic situations as a consequence of large human agglomerations, it is more appropriate to use the term stampede.

Photo: Fotolia - Daniel Meunier