A cornice collapse, or cornice fall, occurs when an overhanging mass of snow breaks off from where it formed on the leeward side of a ridge or terrain feature.
A cornice collapse, or cornice fall, occurs when an overhanging mass of snow breaks off from where it formed on the leeward side of a ridge or terrain feature.
This discovery was made while retracing the steps of the century-old 'Abhor expedition', which mixed scientific exploration with a punitive military campaign under British rule in 1911-1912.
This discovery was made while retracing the steps of the century-old 'Abhor expedition', which mixed scientific exploration with a punitive military campaign under British rule in 1911-1912.
The original Abhor expedition faced harsh weather, difficult terrain, and local resistance while documenting the region’s natural history.
The original Abhor expedition faced harsh weather, difficult terrain, and local resistance while documenting the region’s natural history.
The phenomenon is particularly common above the treeline on mountain ridges or along the sides of gullies.
The phenomenon is particularly common above the treeline on mountain ridges or along the sides of gullies.
Cornice falls can be unexpectedly dangerous, capable of breaking off and falling onto the ridge or triggering slab avalanches below.
Cornice falls can be unexpectedly dangerous, capable of breaking off and falling onto the ridge or triggering slab avalanches below.
The dangers of cornices were highlighted recently by a viral video from Mount Everest showing a dramatic cornice collapse.
The dangers of cornices were highlighted recently by a viral video from Mount Everest showing a dramatic cornice collapse.
Overcrowding at popular natural sites like Mount Everest is exacerbating the risks associated with cornices.
Overcrowding at popular natural sites like Mount Everest is exacerbating the risks associated with cornices.
In the incident captured in the Everest video, four climbers were nearly killed by the collapsing cornice, with two still missing following the event.
In the incident captured in the Everest video, four climbers were nearly killed by the collapsing cornice, with two still missing following the event.
The incident underscores the challenges posed by increasing numbers of visitors to remote and risky natural environments.
The incident underscores the challenges posed by increasing numbers of visitors to remote and risky natural environments.
Cornice collapses serve as a critical reminder of the dynamic and potentially hazardous conditions present in high-altitude mountainous regions.
Cornice collapses serve as a critical reminder of the dynamic and potentially hazardous conditions present in high-altitude mountainous regions.