Final answer:
25% of snow-related fatalities are caused by avalanches, which can be triggered by natural conditions or human activity, with victims succumbing to trauma, suffocation, or hypothermia.
Step-by-step explanation:
25% of victims are killed by the avalanche of the snow. An avalanche occurs when layers of snow, sometimes including ice and rocks, slide down a mountain slope. This may happen naturally or be triggered by human activity, and the resulting mass can travel at high speeds, engulfing anything in its path. Avalanches can be deadly due to factors including the sheer force of the moving snow, suffocation, trauma from the debris, or hypothermia if victims are trapped underneath the snow.
The weight of the snow and the structure of the snowpack are critical factors. If a weak layer is present under a heavy snow cover, it may collapse under the weight, leading to an avalanche. A skin of ice covered by fresh snow, or alternating layers of ice and water can also contribute to instability in the snowpack, which increases the possibility of an avalanche. Situations where victims may break through thin layers of ice into water beneath demonstrate the treacherous and unpredictable conditions that can lead to disastrous outcomes.
Trackers and rescue dogs are often part of the response team in incidents of avalanches, using their training and specialized equipment to locate and rescue victims from under the snow. Awareness, preparation, and rapid emergency response are key to reducing the number of fatalities associated with these natural disasters.