The Probert Encyclopaedia of General Information

AVALANCHE

An avalanche is a large mass of snow or ice precipitated from the mountains, and distinguished as wind or dust avalanches, when they consist of fresh-fallen snow whirled like a dust storm into the valleys; as sliding avalanches, when they consist of great masses of snow sliding down a slope by their own weight; and as glacier or summer avalanches, when ice-masses are detached by heat from the high glaciers.
Research Avalanche