France, 9th February 1999
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Transcript of France, 9th February 1999
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