Sonamarg Avalanche:
Massive avalanches struck the Sonamarg tourist resort in Jammu and Kashmir, engulfing buildings and vehicles following heavy snowfall that disrupted the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway and forced the cancellation of all flights.An avalanche is a rapid downslope movement of a large detached mass of snow, ice, and associated debris, such as rocks and vegetation.It occurs when the force of gravity on the snow cover exceeds its mechanical strength, causing the snowpack to fracture and descend rapidly down a mountainside.
Types of Avalanches:
- Slab Avalanches: The most dangerous type, where a cohesive layer of snow reacts as a single entity and breaks free along a distinct fracture line.
- Loose Snow Avalanches (Sluffs): Formed in snow with little internal cohesion; they originate at a point and grow wider as they descend (inverted-V shape).
- Powder Snow Avalanches: Composed of dry snow that generates a turbulent dust cloud (aerosol) capable of reaching speeds up to 300 km/h.
- Wet Snow Avalanches: Triggered by melting or rain, these move more slowly but possess enormous destructive force due to high snow density.
- Ice/Rock/Debris Avalanches: Involve the sliding of massive chunks of ice (often from glaciers), rocks, or a mix of soil and loose stones.
