Avalanche and ItsSafety

An avalanche is asudden and rapid flow of snow,often mixed with air and water,down amountainside.

Avalanches are_________(51)the biggest dangers in the mountains for both life and property.

All avalanches arecaused by an over-burden of material,typically snowpack,that is too massive andun-

stable for theslope. __________(52)supports it.Determining the critical load,the amount ofover-burden

which is

______ (53)to causean avalanche,_________(54)a complex task involving the evaluation

of a number offactors.

Terrain slopesflatter than 25 degrees or steeper than 60 degrees typically have alow________(55)

of avalanche.Snow doesnot ________ (56)significantly on steep slopes;also,snow does not

__________(57)easilyon flat slopes.Human-triggered avalanches have the greatest incidence when the

snow'S angle of restis_________(58)35 and 45 degrees;the critical angle,the angle at which thehuman

incidence ofavalanches is greatest,is 38 degrees.The rule of thumb is.A slope thatis_________(59)

enough to hold snowbut steep enough to ski has the potential to generate an avalanche,regardlessof the an-

gle.Additionally,avalancherisk increases with__________(60);that is,the more a slope is disturbed by

skiers,the morelikely it is that an avalanche will occur.

Due to thecomplexity of the subject,winter travelling in the backcountry is never 100%safe.Good

avalanche safety isa continuous__________(61),including route selection and examination of the

snowpack,weather___________(62),andhuman factors.Several well-known good habits can also

__________ (63)therisk.If local authorities issue avalanche risk reports,they should beconsidered and all

warnings should bepaid__________(64)to.Never follow in the tracks of others without your ownevalua-

tions;snowconditions are almost certain to have changed since they were made.Observe theterrain and note

obvious avalanchepaths where plants are_________(65)or damaged.Avoid traveling below others who

might trigger anavalanche._________(55)

A.weight

B.form

C.risk

D.work