HOw are a landslide and an avalanche different? How are they alike?

Answer 1

Landslide and Avalanche?
Here is what The American Heritage Dictionary says (including indirect meanings):

"land·slide (l²nd“slºd”) n. 1.a. The downward sliding of a relatively dry mass of earth and rock. b. The mass that slides. Also called landslip. 2.a. An overwhelming majority of votes for a political party or candidate. b. An election that sweeps a party or candidate into office. 3. A great victory.

2) av·a·lanche (²v“…-l²nch”) n. 1. A fall or slide of a large mass, as of snow or rock, down a mountainside. 2. A massive or overwhelming amount; a flood. --av·a·lanche v. av·a·lanched, av·a·lanch·ing, av·a·lanch·es. --intr. 1. To fall or slide in a massive or overwhelming amount. --tr. To overwhelm; inundate."

A landslide seems more a sliding mass, whereas an avalanche seems to be a massively rolling mass, more piling up. Both move downward by gravity.

Cordially, India.Magica

Answer 2

Ok.... im going to first say the obvious answer... one is land and the other is snow... now that thats out of the way...

Avalances occur usually when there is a layer of powdery snow caught between two layers of heavy wet snow. This allows the heavy wet snow on the top to slide down the hill or mountain, gathering snow, speed, and anything in its path as it travels. Landslides usually occur after it has rained a lot. The ground gets muddy, and on a hillside the mud slides down picking up rocks and mud.

Hope that helps!

Answer 3

they are diffrent by a landslide involves mub and trees while an avalanche involves snow. They are alike by they both involve "land" breaking loose and moving down a slope by the pull of gravity.

Answer 4

They are basically the same except an avalanche occurs with snow and a landslide occurs with dirt, mud or other flora and fauna.