# What Are You Waiting For? (DD-273)

> An avalanche is a mass of snow sliding rapidly down a slope. It can be triggered by heavy snowfall, temperature changes or people. The Reel says avalanches can reach 80 miles per hour; typical slab avalanches do, and large powder avalanches can be faster. An avalanche can bury people, destroy buildings and flatten forests. For people caught in one, the main dangers are burial, traumatic injury and hypothermia. The footage shows a large avalanche filmed from a rocky slope.

- Department: Nature (also Locations)
- First published: 2024-07-18
- Last updated: 2024-07-18
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/what-are-you-waiting-for/
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## Quick facts

- **DD-273-F01**: An avalanche is a rapid flow of snow down a slope. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (Definition))_
- **DD-273-F02**: Snowfall, warming and people trigger them. _(Write-up · Exhibit B (Triggers))_

## Write-up

Avalanches can reach 80 mph within seconds. Burial, trauma and hypothermia are the main dangers.

1. **Definition**: An avalanche is a rapid flow of snow down a slope.
2. **Triggers**: Snowfall, warming and people trigger them.
3. **Speed**: They can reach 80 mph or more.
4. **Damage**: They can flatten forests.
5. **Dangers**: Burial, trauma and hypothermia.

## Related case files

- [Iceberg Blue (DD-299)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/iceberg-blue/): I linked more snow and ice

## Reel vs. record

- **Note**: The Reel gives 80 mph as a top speed; large powder avalanches can be faster.

## Video: What Are You Waiting For?: Avalanches Can Reach 80 mph Within Seconds

- Duration: 30.3 s · Published: 2024-07-18
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/C9k1zNpJv6B.mp4

### Transcript

Did you know, avalanches are powerful and dangerous events where large masses of snow rapidly slide down a mountain side. Triggered by various factors like heavy snowfall, temperature changes, or human activity, avalanches can reach speeds of up to 80 miles per hour. The immense force of an avalanche can bury people, destroy buildings, and flatten forests in its path. For individuals in the immediate area, the primary dangers include being buried under deep snow, suffering traumatic injuries from the force of the snow and debris, and the risk of hypothermia. Avalanches remain a significant hazard in mountainous regions. NOW YOU KNOW!

## Questions & answers

**Q: What is an avalanche?**  
A: A mass of snow. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Definition) · Wikipedia: Avalanche)_

**Q: What can trigger one?**  
A: Also people. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Triggers) · Wikipedia: Avalanche)_

**Q: How fast can they go?**  
A: Very fast. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Speed) · Wikipedia: Avalanche)_

**Q: What can they flatten?**  
A: And buildings. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Damage) · Wikipedia: Avalanche)_

**Q: What is a main danger?**  
A: Also trauma and cold. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Dangers) · Wikipedia: Avalanche)_

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: Avalanche](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avalanche)

## Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "What Are You Waiting For?." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-273, last updated Jul 18, 2024. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/what-are-you-waiting-for/