Snow avalanches are a type of fast-moving mass movement. They occur in snow covered mountain regions throughout the world and have caused natural disasters as long as mountainous areas have been inhabited. Their occurrence affects ski resorts, roads, railways, power lines, communication lines, forests, backcountry recreationists, residential areas and industrial facilities (e.g. mining). The number of fatalities per year due to snow avalanches is estimated to be about 250 worldwide. Most of the fatalities involve personal recreation on public land. Avalanche mitigation includes temporary measures (forecasting, road closure) and permanent measures (land-use planning, protective means such as snow sheds or tunnels, reforestation). A prerequisite of avalanche mitigation is a sound understanding of the avalanche phenomena including snow cover processes that contribute to avalanche formation.
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