I can't remember if I heard this from somewhere before, and I haven't read anything about something like this. What do you think?
2006-07-14 04:46:55 · 15 answers · asked by Al 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
Randy G gave you a good answer.
An echo will not "cause" an avalanche, but it could trigger an avalanche. The main "cause" of an avalanche is gravity!
2006-07-14 07:49:00 · answer #1 · answered by minefinder 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You probably saw that in a movie or cartoon, I believe, because that's where I saw it.
If the snow pack is so unstable that sound waves would start an avalanche, then the pack is probably getting ready to collapse under its own weight anyway.
BTW, there are different catagories of avalanches, and they have many causes. Check out the National Park Service webpage:
What factors cause an avalanche to occur?
An avalanche occurs when the stress (from gravity) trying to pull the snow downhill exceeds the strength (from bonds between snow grains) of the snow cover. There are four ingredients of an avalanche:
1. a steep slope
2. a snow cover
3. a weak layer in the snow cover
4. a trigger
2006-07-14 05:00:07 · answer #2 · answered by Randy G 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Anything that sets up a vibration in the air can cause an avalanche if the conditions are right.
2006-07-14 04:49:28 · answer #3 · answered by Theoretical chem guy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no-way dude. To create an avalanche you would need more punch. Scientist and rangers fire small rockets at the thick snow to clear avalanche that result in small man-made avalanches. The snow clearing prevents big avalanches.
Some people shout 'Avalanche!' and just to creat some chaos. *)
2006-07-14 04:54:29 · answer #4 · answered by p 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wanted to say "yes, because an echo is a sound and a sound is a form of vibration so this minute vibration might lead to enormous crashing of the snow", but then I saw an answer that says "OF COURSE of course of course" and so I think the answer "yes" is overwhelmingly over-rated:p
2006-07-14 05:02:30 · answer #5 · answered by gameplan_xtreme 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, I believe so. The slightest vibration, slightest movement and slightest temperature change can cause an avalanche.
2006-07-14 04:50:14 · answer #6 · answered by hirofuri 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A sound vibration, no matter how caused, can trigger an avalanche.
2006-07-14 07:13:54 · answer #7 · answered by Delora Gloria 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes
2006-07-14 05:15:08 · answer #8 · answered by Dr M 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely because of the vibration.
2006-07-14 04:49:48 · answer #9 · answered by Mommymonster 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
So, gamplan, if I said "Of course not, of course not, of course not, of course not, of course not, of course not, of course not, of course not, of course not, then you would be convinced that it would???!!!
Truth is not determined by belief, peer group pressure, or authority, or the number of times something is repeated!
2006-07-14 07:03:03 · answer #10 · answered by Alan Turing 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋