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How to Make an Avalanche Experiment

Few students live in areas where avalanches will ever occur; however, they are an important natural event to study in school. Health teachers may use avalanches as an opportunity to teach basic first aids, while science classes learn about the effects of precipitation. Simulating an avalanche with an in-class experiment is a simple way to show the process of snowfall and accumulated snowpack weight that leads to avalanches, and is far more cost-effective than a class field trip to Alaska.

Things You'll Need

Drop cloth
Foam display board
Ruler
Pencil
Wax paper
Tape
Small rocks
Craft glue
Cheesecloth
Pastry sifter
Powdered sugar
Cornstarch
Dry instant mashed potato flakes
Protractor

Instructions

Simulating Winter Snowfall
- 1
  Lay a drop cloth on the floor for easy clean-up after the experiment.
- 2
  Divide the foam board into four equal sections using a ruler and pencil. Tape wax paper over the first section. Glue a few small rocks to the second section. Glue 2 sheets of cheesecloth to the third section of the board, and glue twice the number of rocks you used in the second section onto the fourth section.
- 3
  Set the foam board on the floor and disperse an even coating of powdered sugar over the entire landscape by filling a pastry sifter with 1 lb. of powdered sugar and working back and forth over the board in straight rows.
- 4
  Dump 2 pounds of cornstarch over the board to simulate harsh winter snows. Apply using the pastry sifter in the same way you dispersed the powdered sugar.
- 5
  Distribute 1 cup of potato flakes over the cornstarch to represent the light snow that falls during a long cold spell. Add 3 lbs. of cornstarch and smooth out to create an even surface.
Simulating an Avalanche
- 6
  Align the protractor with the edge of the foam board in order to measure the angle at which your avalanche begins.
- 7
  Raise the board slowly. Watch the snowpack carefully for signs of cracks and snow releases.
- 8
  Record the angle of incline at which the snowpack begins to crack, slide, and finally creates an avalanche. Discuss what can be learned about slope, terrain and snowpack layers from this experiment.

Nature