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Weekend


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June 6, 2003

Strange But True!

  • A weekly column of incidental information, off-the-wall observations and other random facts about the world.
    • By BILL SONES and RICH SONES, Ph.D.
    Special to the Journal

    Q. How much speed can a snowy mountainside avalanche get up? Could it overtake a fleet downhill skier?

    A. Such a skier might top 100 mph, but snow avalanches have been known to reach 200 mph -- amazing for all the tonnage involved! Upon rare occasions, an avalanche will sweep down like a freight train across a valley floor and up the opposite side a way, says Ruth Kirk in "Snow." Pressures near 10 tons per square foot have been recorded.


     
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