ASC Avalanche Forecasting & Danger Ratings

Question 1

How many danger levels are on the North American Public Avalanche Danger Scale?

Accepted Answer

5

Answer

3

Answer

4

Answer

6

Question 2

Which avalanche danger level is associated with the highest number of avalanche fatalities historically?

Accepted Answer

Considerable (3)

Answer

High (4)

Answer

Extreme (5)

Answer

Moderate (2)

Question 3

On the North American Avalanche Danger Scale, at which danger level are 'natural and human-triggered avalanches certain'?

Accepted Answer

Extreme (5)

Answer

High (4)

Answer

Considerable (3)

Answer

High (4) and Extreme (5) equally

Question 4

What does the term 'avalanche problem' refer to in a forecast?

Accepted Answer

The type of snow instability likely to produce avalanches

Answer

A specific avalanche that has already released

Answer

A hazard caused by road closures

Answer

An error in the snowpack model

Question 5

Which organization is primarily responsible for issuing public avalanche forecasts in the United States?

Accepted Answer

The National Avalanche Center (NAC) and regional avalanche centers

Answer

FEMA

Answer

NOAA exclusively

Answer

The US Forest Service Avalanche Division

Question 6

What is the primary purpose of including 'likelihood' in an avalanche forecast?

Accepted Answer

To indicate the probability that avalanches will be triggered

Answer

To describe how large an avalanche will be

Answer

To predict how far debris will travel

Answer

To specify which slopes have already slid

Question 7

What does 'size' in an avalanche problem assessment refer to?

Accepted Answer

The destructive potential of the avalanche relative to a person or structure

Answer

The vertical drop of the starting zone

Answer

The width of the fracture line

Answer

The total area of the runout zone