An avalanche is a rapid flow of snow, ice, earth, rock, or other materials down a mountainside or over a precipice. This phenomenon occurs when a mass of snow or debris breaks loose from its surroundings and swiftly descends a slope.
Avalanches can be triggered spontaneously due to factors like increased precipitation or weakening of the snowpack, or they can result from external influences such as human activity, animal movement, or earthquakes.
They can reach speeds up to 100 mph and vary in destructive power from harmless to highly destructive.
In everyday usage, the term “avalanche” also refers to a sudden and overwhelming accumulation or appearance of things, such as an “avalanche of paperwork” or a “flood of complaints.”
Additionally, “Avalanche” is the name of a blockchain platform known for its high transaction speeds and low fees, aiming to provide a decentralized platform for decentralized applications (dApps) and custom blockchain networks.
Moreover, “Avalanche” refers to a professional ice hockey team based in Colorado, known as the Colorado Avalanche, competing in the National Hockey League (NHL).