Slab Avalanche

A slab avalanche occurs when a cohesive layer of snow breaks free and slides downhill as a single, large mass. This typically happens on slopes where the snowpack is unevenly layered, often due to factors like temperature changes or the weight of new snowfall. When stress from added weight exceeds the strength of the underlying layer, the slab can detach and cascade down the slope. Slab avalanches can be particularly dangerous because they can be big and fast, carrying debris and posing risks to people and structures in their path.