By Frances Robson

Who? Avalanches are dangerous to people who stay near the mountains like... People who ski in the mountains

Who? Avalanches are dangerous to people who stay near the mountains like... People who hike in the mountains

Who? Avalanches are dangerous to people who stay near the mountains like... People who live in the mountains

What? What causes an avalanche? heavy snowfall deforestation (because of new ski runs) making the slope less stable steep slopes, this helps to increase the speed of movement vibrations (earthquakes) layering of snow, where snow is already on the mountain and has turned into ice, and then fresh snow falls on top which can easily slide down

Where? Some kinds of disasters are more common in some places than in others... areas with mountains throughout arctic regions which have high slopes are at risk. The avalanche problem is more severe in Europe than North America because of the higher population in the Alps mountain range

Areas at high risk for avalanches THE HIMALAYAS THE ALPS

How? Disastrous avalanches happen when large slabs of snow break free from a mountainside and shatter as they slide downhill. Did you know... These moving slabs can reach 80 miles (130 kilometres) per hour within five seconds!

Examples of avalanches Page on Himalayan avalanche (Sunday 23 rd September 2012)

How do avalanches link to global warming? Big Avalanches Deforestation. Because the trees stop the avalanches but if they are cut down not only do the avalanches become more dangerous but also more Carbon Dioxide is released into the air.