Avalanche Sizes

Avalanches are classified by their relative size and destructive force.

Size relative to path takes the whole avalanche path into account and can include its horizontal and vertical extent as well as the depth of the fracture.

Destructive force is a measure of the avalanche’s potential to damage trees, people, and property in its track or runout zone.

Table of avalanche size ratings (size relative to path vs. destructive force)

Back to the Glory Bowl incident. What’s the highest rating that the avalanche would probably be given? (Choose the best answer.)

The correct answer is C.

Since the avalanche buried and killed a person, had a path length closer to 3300 feet than 330 (1000 m than 100), and could have easily buried a car on the highway, it was a medium avalanche.