An avalanche is a rapid, large-scale mass movement of snow, ice, or rock material down a slope. These events occur when the structural integrity of the overlying snowpack is compromised, often due to gravitational stress or changes in temperature that weaken the bonds between snow layers. The force and speed of the material slide can create immense pressure, capable of burying anything in its path. While often associated with mountainous environments, the mechanism of failure is governed by physics, involving factors such as the composition of the substrate, the slope's gradient, and the depth of the unstable layer.