avalanche

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Fall or flow of a mass of snow and ice down a steep slope under the force of gravity. Avalanches occur because of the unstable nature of snow masses in mountain areas.

Changes of temperature, sudden sound, or earth-borne vibrations may trigger an avalanche, particularly on slopes of more than 35°. The snow compacts into ice as it moves, and rocks may be carried along, adding to the damage caused.

Avalanches leave slide tracks, long gouges down the mountainside that can be up to 1 km/0.6 mi long and 100 m/330 ft wide. These slides have a similar beneficial effect on biodiversity as do forest fires, clearing the land of snow and mature mountain forest and so enabling plants and shrubs that cannot grow in shade, to recolonize and creating wildlife corridors.

Red symbolizes the revolution of 1984. The five-pointed star is said to signify the revolution or freedom. Green stands for the country's natural resources. Effective date: 4 August 1984. >>