AvalancheAvalanche

STST

What is an avalanche???What is an avalanche???

• An avalanche is a rapid flow of snow down a slope

• Naturally triggered or human activity

• Occurs in mountains

• Avalanche mix of water and snow.

• Powerful avalanches - ice, rocks, trees etc.

When did the avalanche When did the avalanche happen???happen???

9th February 1999

Where did the avalanche Where did the avalanche happen??? happen???

The Alps, France

Off the Mount de Péclerey into Montroc village

The committees involvementThe committees involvement

• Growing population – so risks were overlooked

• New chalets were built on a known avalanche path.

• Despite warnings, the committee decided not to evacuate

Why???Why???

Weather triggered

3 days of snow + strong winds

What Happened???What Happened???

• 30 hector broke off but grew as it went down the mountain

• In the end 300,000 cubic metres of snow slid on a 30 degree slope

• achieving a speed of 100 km/h (60 mph).

Effects of the avalanche??? Effects of the avalanche???

Part of the forest, buildings, pylons were crushed.

It killed 14 people

14 buildings destroyed + 6 badly damaged.

The MayorThe Mayor

The mayor of Chamonix was convicted of second-degree murder for not evacuating the area, but received a suspended sentence.

Memorial CrossMemorial Cross