-
9008 - 48th Avenue NW
Calgary, Alberta, T3B 2B2, Canada
Phone/Fax: 1-403-288-0803
e-mail: Bruce Jamieson
Home
Consulting and Training
Publications and Reports
Photos
Books
Recommended Reading
Contacting Bruce
Links
Some Facts about Avalanches
- Dry avalanches can reach speeds of 50 to 200 km/h (30-120 mph).
- Wet avalanches can reach speeds of 20 to 100 km/h (12-60 mph).
- Large avalanches are capable of destroying a village or forest, although such avalanches are not common.
- Over 600 people have died in avalanches in Canada since the 1800's.
- Since the 1930's, most of the people caught and killed by avalanches in Canada have been recreationists.
- From 1990 to 1999 in Canada, an average of 12.5 people per year died in avalanches.
- From 1990 to 1999 in the United states, an average of 23 people per year died in avalanches.
- Most avalanches that catch recreationists are triggered by the victim, or a member of the victim's party.
- Many recreational avalanche accidents occur when the weather is fair.
- In western Canada only about 1 in 3000 potentially destructive avalanches damages property or injures people. Many occur naturally in remote areas with few people and little developed property.
Home
Consulting and Training
Publications and Reports
Photos
Books
Recommended Reading
Contacting Bruce
Links