Avalanche theory explains the 1959 Dyatlov Pass incident

  • Thread starter Thread starter jedishrfu
  • Start date Start date
Join the discussion
Registration is free. Start your own thread to ask a follow-up.
Sign up Log in
6 replies · 1K views
Physics news on Phys.org

Discussion

Cool. My first reaction, before reading the article was skepticism regarding the claim of a "new" kind of avalanche, but indeed that is what the article details.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: hutchphd
When I read it, it made sense. It’s something I experienced as a kid where the snow was hard on the surface due to the winds but soft and powdery underneath.

We used to break off chunks a toss them onto the hard surface to see the piece shatter and the parts skitter away.

It never occurred to me that on an incline that a portion of the surface could break free and slide down as a kind of micro avalanche.
 
  • Like
  • Informative
Likes   Reactions: Keith_McClary and collinsmark
jedishrfu said:
the snow was hard on the surface due to the winds but soft and powdery underneath.
I was once on a ski lift early watching some skiers taking a first run on a slope like that. :biggrin:
 
My understanding is that is not entirely a "new kind" - more like they proved known kind of avalanche could take place in the conditions present there and then.
 
Also that for this type of avalanche the slope was less than the 30.0 degree slope.

A minimum of 20.0 degree was needed and in the case of tragic event they described, the slope was 23.0 degrees.
 
Last edited:
Read that with an internal Theremin playing.