Avalanches are swift flows of snow down slopes, triggered by factors like heavy snowfall, unstable snowpack, or external factors like human activity, animals, or earthquakes. Though primarily composed of snow and air, large avalanches can carry ice, rocks, and trees, posing significant risks.
April 1993: European Avalanche Risk Scale Adoption
In April 1993, the European Avalanche Risk Scale was adopted to replace the earlier non-standard national schemes.
1999: Galtür Avalanche
In 1999, the small Austrian village of Galtür was hit by a large avalanche. The village was thought to be in a safe zone, but the avalanche was exceptionally large and flowed into the village, killing thirty-one people.
December 2000: Glory Bowl Avalanche
On December 1, 2000, the Glory Bowl Avalanche formed on Mt. Glory in the Teton Mountain Range in Wyoming, United States. Joel Roof was snowboarding recreationally in this backcountry, bowl-shaped run and triggered the avalanche. He was carried nearly 2,000 feet to the base of the mountain and was not successfully rescued.
January 2003: Tatra Mountains Avalanche
On January 28, 2003, the Tatra Mountains avalanche swept away nine out of a thirteen-member group heading to the summit of Rysy in the Tatra Mountains. The participants of the trip were students from the I Leon Kruczkowski High School in Tychy and individuals associated with the school's sports club.
May 2003: European Avalanche Risk Scale Description Update
In May 2003, the descriptions of the European Avalanche Risk Scale were updated to enhance uniformity.
July 2022: Marmolada Glacier Avalanche
On July 3, 2022, a serac collapsed on the Marmolada Glacier, Italy, causing an avalanche that killed 11 alpinists and injured eight.