Q 01/05

What are the two general forms of avalanche?

A) Wet and dry

B) Slab and loose snow

C) Powder and ice

D) Natural and human-triggered

Answer · why

B) Slab and loose snow

Slabs of tightly packed snow release when a weak layer beneath collapses; loose snow avalanches start from a point.

Q 02/05

What is the most common cause of natural avalanches?

A) Earthquakes shaking the mountainside

B) Increased load from snowfall during storms

C) Loud noises such as shouts or gunshots

D) Rockfall from cliffs above the slope

Answer · why

B) Increased load from snowfall during storms

Melting from solar radiation is the second-largest cause; contrary to legend, sound pressure is far too small to trigger one.

Q 03/05

Can a loud sound trigger an avalanche?

A) Yes, even a shout can set one off

B) Only sounds above 120 decibels

C) Only in the warmer spring months

D) No, the pressure is far too small

Answer · why

D) No, the pressure is far too small

Skiers, snowmobiles and explosives are real artificial triggers.

Q 04/05

Slab avalanches account for roughly what share of avalanche deaths?

A) 50%

B) 90%

C) 25%

D) 70%

Answer · why

B) 90%

Slabs can range from a few centimetres to three metres thick.

Q 05/05

What is the fracture at the bottom of a slab avalanche called?

A) Crown

B) Flank

C) Stauchwall

D) Bed surface

Answer · why

C) Stauchwall

The crown fracture is at the top of the start zone and the flank fractures on the sides.