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Crews Calm Avalanches

WE’VE TOLD YOU, AN AVALANCHE IS A MASS OF SNOW, ICE, AND ROCKS FALLING RAPIDLY DOWN A MOUNTAINSIDE.

THE LATEST AVALANCHE OCCURRED JUST THIS WEEK AT A SKI RESORT IN THE FRENCH ALPS. BUT THERE ARE WAYS TO PREVENT THESE DISASTERS.

IN COLORADO, CREWS ARE WORKING TO MITIGATE AVALANCHES. MITIGATE MEANS TO MAKE SOMETHING LESS SEVERE OR DANGEROUS. IN THIS CASE, THEIR MITIGATION WORK IS TO PREVENT A SERIOUS AVALANCHE. MATT KROSCHEL BRINGS US TO THE COLORADO ROCKIES TO SHOW US HOW IT’S DONE.

Stanley side Shute is notorious for sending major snow down on to and across us 40. Stew Schaefer/ Colorado Avalanche Info Ctr Forecaster "we're seeing a lot of snow come down" Avalanche forecasters knew they'd bring some down with mitigation- they were surprised though by how much. Stew Schaefer/ Colorado Avalanche Info Ctr Forecaster "we did expect to see snow come downâ?¦ We didn't expect this much" REPORTER STANDUP: when they do avalanche mitigation work there never sure how much snow is going to come off the mountain today 20 foot deep drifts 300 yards a lot of snow that they have to get removed off this road" As CDOT worked with massive front loaders that look small compared to the snow slide- another crew down along interstate 70 started mitigation work there too. Stew Schaefer/ Colorado Avalanche Info Ctr Forecaster "Mount Bethel usually known for behaving itself" Using a Howletzer they fired explosives on the slide area- sending this slide down. Stew Schaefer/ Colorado Avalanche Info Ctr Forecaster "Every shot is a test"

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Instructional Links


Website Article: Colorado Avalanche Information Center

Online Tutorial: American Avalanche Association, Avalanche Safety | Avalanche information & safety tips.

Video: PBSLearningMedia, Nova, How Do Avalanches Form | Includes background essay, discussion questions & classroom activity.

Website Article: Mears and Wilbur, Avalanche Mitigation