How deadly are Avalanches?

Summary

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Who Smarted? – "How Deadly are Avalanches?"

Episode Date: November 17, 2025
Host & Cast: Narrator (A), Nervous Novice Dave (B), Grog the Caveman & Sarge (C), and various side characters
Podcast for Kids & Families – Educational, Humorous

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Episode Overview

In this exhilarating and funny episode, the Who Smarted? crew heads to the snowy mountains to investigate avalanches—how they start, what causes them, and just how dangerous they really are. The show blends comedic banter and interactive trivia, demystifying avalanche science for young listeners while keeping things lively and engaging. Along the way, the hosts bust myths (can a yodel trigger an avalanche?) and provide practical safety advice that even adults will appreciate.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Scene: Atop the Snowy Mountains

• [01:15] The hosts pretend to be high up in the mountains, surrounded by snow, setting the stage for the avalanche adventure.
• Yodeling is introduced as a fun, echoing activity but quickly becomes a point of comedic tension due to the fear of avalanches.

2. Can Yodeling Trigger an Avalanche? (Avalanche Myths)

• [02:00] Dave expresses worry that loud noises like yodeling or music could trigger an avalanche.
  • Narrator: “I don’t think you have anything to worry about. Trust me, I know a thing or two about avalanches.” [02:12]
  • [14:43] Myth-Busting! Narrator: “True or False? Loud noises trigger avalanches. The answer is false.”
  • Dave: “False? How can that be? Everyone knows loud noises cause avalanches.”

3. What Is an Avalanche?

• [04:05] Interactive Quiz
  • Avalanches are defined as “a large amount of material sliding quickly down a slope.”
  • Materials can include rocks, snow, ice, or mud—snow is the most common.
  • Non-snow avalanches are called “landslides, lahars, debris avalanches, and mudslides.”
    • Narrator: “Avalanches can be rocks, mud, ice, or snow.” [04:20]

4. How Fast and Powerful Are Avalanches?

• [06:10] “A typical large avalanche can travel up to 80 mph (130 km/h ).”
• [07:02] Some avalanches reach speeds rivaling “a 200 mph race car.”
• Visual Metaphor:
  • Narrator: “Imagine you’re in a car on the highway… chances are, the avalanche will pass you!” [06:10]
• [08:42] Weight Comparison
  • “A fully developed avalanche can weigh as much as 143,000 elephants.”
    • Dave (astonished): “An elephant is pretty heavy.” [08:50]

5. The Dangers and Impacts

• [09:14] Avalanches “can destroy forests and villages” and cause around “150 deaths each year.”
  • Grog: “Run for his primitive life!” [09:10] (comic relief)

6. How to Escape an Avalanche? (Safety Segment)

• [10:16 - 13:18] Sarge (a loud, drill sergeant-type): offers advice on avalanche survival:
  • Move as quickly as possible—skis, snowmobiles: head straight down, then veer to the side.
  • Try grabbing a tree (if possible); if you can’t, try “swimming” in the snow.
    • Sarge: “Swim in the snow! That’ll keep you from sinking.” [12:49]
  • As the avalanche slows and buries you, “put your fist upwards” to create a pocket for air and help rescuers find you.
    • Narrator: "That’s good advice I hope we never have to use.” [13:18]

7. What Actually Triggers Avalanches?

• [15:09] The #1 cause: Human activity, responsible for “90% of avalanches involving people.”
  • Skiing, snowboarding, climbing, snowmobiling—all can trigger avalanches by disturbing unstable layers of snow.
  • Natural causes do include earthquakes and weather, but people are the main culprits in fatal incidents.
    • Narrator: “A whopping 90% of all avalanches involving people are caused by people skiing, snowboarding, mountain climbing, and snowmobiling.” [15:13]

8. Avalanche Warnings & Safety Measures

• [15:53] Experts monitor slopes for signs of avalanche risk; sometimes, they trigger controlled avalanches to prevent disaster.
• Most victims are away from marked trails, out in the wilderness.
  • Narrator: “Avalanche experts look for warning signs to make sure that popular snowy spots like this trail are safe. Sometimes they might even trigger an avalanche on purpose.” [16:15]

9. Bringing It Full Circle (Final Yodel!)

• [16:38] The hosts reassure listeners that clearly marked trails and monitored slopes are generally safe.
  • Dave finally lets loose with a yodel: “Yodela…!”
• Light-hearted outro to wrap up avalanche safety with a laugh.

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Notable and Memorable Quotes

• Narrator: “Can a yodel trigger an avalanche? And if not, what does trigger an avalanche?” [02:52]
• Narrator: “A fully developed avalanche can weigh as much as 143,000 elephants.” [08:42]
• Sarge: “Swim in the snow! That’ll keep you from sinking. Because when you hit the bottom, you’re gonna want to be at the top!” [12:49]
• Narrator: “Loud noises trigger avalanches. The answer is false.” [14:43]
• Narrator: “A whopping 90% of avalanches involving people are caused by people skiing, snowboarding, mountain climbing, and snowmobiling.” [15:13]

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Important Timestamps

• 01:29 – Arrival in the snowy mountains, first yodel attempt
• 02:06 – Dave’s fear of avalanches from noise
• 04:05 – Avalanche basics (definition, quiz)
• 06:10 – How fast do avalanches move (comparison to cars, race cars, jets)
• 08:42 – Avalanches compared to “143,000 elephants” in weight
• 09:14 – Dangers: deaths, destruction
• 10:16-13:18 – Sarge’s avalanche survival guide (trees, swimming, making an air pocket)
• 14:43 – Myth-busting: loud noises don’t cause avalanches
• 15:09 – Serious causes: 90% of fatal avalanches are triggered by people
• 16:15 – Experts’ avalanche control methods, real risks
• 16:38 – Episode wraps: final yodel, reassurance on safety

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Episode Tone & Style

• Fast-paced, humorous, and highly interactive
• Blends silly sound effects and characters (e.g. Sarge, Grog, “Mountaintop Marching Band”) with science facts
• Delivers clear, memorable safety advice with gentle reassurance—no fearmongering

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Takeaways for Listeners

• Avalanches are powerful, dangerous, and mostly caused by people, not by loud noises or yodeling.
• Most deaths can be prevented with knowledge, preparation, and care in avalanche-prone zones.
• If caught in an avalanche: act fast, try to move to the side, grab a tree if possible, or “swim” to stay near the surface, and create an air pocket near your mouth.
• Natural warnings and controlled interventions keep most busy trails safe for all.

Fun, energetic, and scientifically accurate, this episode makes avalanche safety accessible and memorable for young listeners—plus, everyone learns you can yodel to your heart’s content (as long as you’re not skiing off-trail in dangerous snow)!

Transcript

[A]

Hey, smarty pants and smarty families. So today I was supposed to bring you the sad news that this would be the last day of our Special Happy Birthday. 50% off WhoSmarted plus subscription. But guess what? With Thanksgiving and Black Friday coming up, I just had to extend it another couple of weeks. So now you have until the end of November to sign up for WhoSmarted plus and get an entire year of smarting ad free, including a brand new subscriber only bonus episode every single week for just $19.98. That's right. For just $1.66 a month, you'll be supporting the show and giving the gift of smarting to the smartypants in your life just in time for the holidays. You can't even get a decent slice of pizza for $1.66. So what do you say? Go to our website, WhoSmarted.com and click Birthday Subscribe Today. That's WhoSmarted.com. click Birthday subscribe. This is only available on our [e-mail]. you and I and all your friends at WhoSmarted will be glad you did. And happy holidays. And now it's time for who's Smarted? Hey, smartypants. Welcome to Whosmarted. As you can hear, I'm up in the snowy mountains. The air is crisp and cool, the snow is soft and powdery, and the echoes are very echoey. Yodel.

[B]

Oh, you don't want to do that.

[A]

Do what?

[B]

Yodel.

[A]

But isn't that what areas near snowy mountains are known for? It's like the Sound of Music. And just listen to that echo. Yodelay, yodelay, yodel.

[B]

I get that it's fun and sounds great, but it could also be dangerous.

[A]

Dangerous? Yodeling? How can yodeling be dangerous? Unless, of course, I lose my voice from yodeling and can't narrate who's smarted. But I don't think that's what you mean.

[B]

No, this isn't about losing your voice. It's about your voice triggering an avalanche.

[C]

Ah.

[B]

Where did those loud violins come from?

[A]

Oh, I see. Listen, Dave, my nervous, novice, mountain climbing friend, I don't think you have anything to worry about. Trust me, I know a thing or two about avalanches. And I say we're perfectly sh. Now what?

[B]

I thought I heard a rumble. Like an avalanche starting.

[A]

No, that's just my tummy. Which means it's snack time. How about some popcorn?

[C]

Shh.

[B]

We're both gonna be eating snow if you don't keep it down.

[A]

I'M telling you, Dave, we're perfectly fine. Hey, that wasn't me this time. See, snowy mountains just make people want to yodel.

[B]

It's not safe.

[A]

What do you think, smarty pants? Can a yodel trigger an avalanche? And if not, what does trigger an avalanche? And how much power is in all that falling snow? And once an avalanche starts, is there any way to get out of its way? It's time for another whiff of science. On who Smarted. Sh.

[B]

Stop that music.

[A]

Relax, Dave. It's just the theme music. It won't trigger an avalanche.

[B]

You sure?

[A]

I promise.

[B]

Okay.

[C]

Who smarted? Who's smarted? Who's smarted?

[B]

Who smart?

[C]

Is it you? Is it me? Is it science or history? Listen up everyone. We make smarting lots of fun. On who Smart? And.

[B]

I don't know that who smarted? Singer was really loud.

[A]

Yes, but notice he didn't trigger an avalanche.

[B]

I think we got lucky. That snowy mountaintop makes me nervous.

[A]

Trust me, we're not in any danger right now.

[B]

How can you be so sure?

[A]

Well, it helps if you know a thing or two about avalanches, smarty pants. Let's start with the basics. What is an avalanche? Is it A, a sudden snowstorm, B a crack in the earth, or C a large amount of material sliding quickly down a slope?

[B]

Material? You mean material things like jewelry and other fancy stuff?

[A]

We have been living in the material world.

[B]

What? Where did that music come from?

[A]

Don't worry, Dave. As for material that can be most anything. And in case you didn't guess it, the correct answer is C. Avalanches are material sliding quickly down a slope. With avalanches, most time it's rocks, mud, ice or snow. Question two, smarty pants. Which of those materials I just mentioned do you think is the most common type of avalanche? If you said snow, you're right. But avalanches of rocks and mud happen all the time. Especially after a period of intense rain or rapid snow melt, also known as thaw. Question three, smarty pants. Do you know what those non snowy avalanches are called? Are they A Rocky rolls, B. Landslides, or C Slip n slides? If you guessed B landslides, you're correct. These type of avalanches are also known as lahars, debris avalanches and mudslides. And all of those can be pretty dangerous to people or property.

[B]

Right? Which is why we don't want to trigger an avalanche. Oh no. Is that rumbling snow? Nope. Oh no. But now my stomach's rumbling.

[A]

Maybe you should have a snack too. Ooh, who wants meat cake?

[B]

Where did she Come from. And she's even louder than the yodeler.

[A]

Relax, Dave. I still don't see or hear any signs of an avalanche. Of course, if we did see or hear one, we'd have to think fast. Avalanches move quickly.

[B]

Oh, yeah? Just how fast do they move?

[A]

Very smarty pants. Imagine you're in a car that's driving on a highway, and you're going the top speed limit, and you look out the window to see an avalanche in the next lane.

[B]

The avalanche beeps.

[A]

No, of course not. But in this example, it does. Now, that avalanche in the next lane, chances are it will pass you. A typical large avalanche can travel up to 80 mph or 130 km per hour. However, some avalanches can reach even higher speeds. Smartypants, how fast do you think a fully developed massive avalanche could travel? Would you say faster than 100 mile per hour speedboat? Faster than a 200 mile per hour race car, or faster than an 800 mile per hour supersonic jet?

[B]

Does every example have to be so loud? Now I'm yelling.

[A]

Well, smarty pants, I'm glad to say avalanches don't travel at supersonic speeds. So it's not the jet plane, but they have been known to go as fast as a race car. And with great speed comes great power. Now, look at that caveman over there.

[B]

Caveman? There's a caveman here.

[C]

Me smash big rock.

[B]

Should he be doing that?

[A]

It's really loud and a waste of time. Grog here can smash that boulder all he wants, but it ain't going anywhere. The caveman can't move this boulder, but a large avalanche would have no problem knocking it over. All that snow, ice and rock really packs a punch. And as an avalanche heads downhill, it picks up more material. Question four, smarty pants. Can you guess how much a fully developed avalanche can weigh? Is it, A, as much as a car, B, as much as an ambulance, or C, as much as an elephant?

[B]

Seriously, does every example have to be the loudest things you can think of? Any one of them could trigger an avalanche.

[C]

Me smash rock, but rock no move. Shh. Do you hear snake Grog smash snake.

[B]

I should just prepare myself to be buried by an avalanche. So how much does it weigh?

[A]

Smarty pants, if you said an avalanche weighs as much as an elephant, you're right. Oof.

[B]

An elephant is pretty heavy.

[A]

Oh, but I'm not talking about just one elephant. A fully developed elephant avalanche can weigh as much as 143,000 elephants. Imagine that many elephants stampeding down a Mountain right at you, Grog.

[C]

Run for his primitive life.

[A]

Yeah. That kind of power not only moves rocks, but it can destroy forests and villages. Avalanches are also known to kill 150 people each year.

[B]

Oh, boy. But you can't outrun an avalanche like that, caveman. Is there any way to escape one?

[C]

Attention.

[B]

Of course. Another loud character.

[C]

I hear you climbers want to know how to escape an avalanche. Is that right?

[A]

Uh.

[C]

I said, is that right?

[A]

Yes, Sarge, that's right.

[B]

Any chance you could tell us quietly?

[C]

Are you telling me how to speak, soldier?

[B]

No. Sorry. Also, I'm not a soldier.

[C]

Yeah, well, you can still drop and give me 50 push ups. Same goes for you, narrator.

[A]

Oh, great. Thanks, Dave.

[C]

Zip it, trusty. Let's go. 50 push ups.

[A]

And 50.

[C]

Okay, where was I?

[A]

You were going to tell us how to escape an avalanche.

[C]

Right. If you're ever caught in an avalanche, what you want to do is.

[A]

Coming up right after this quick break.

[C]

Are you interrupting me? That's 50 more push ups. Let's go.

[A]

Whosmarted is brought to you by Squarespace. Now, you know I'm good about creating new adventures and episodes of Whosmarted, but you don't know that I procrastinate on other stuff. Like a website for one of our new projects. Oops. When the website builder Squarespace reached out about sponsoring WhoSmarted, I decided to test it out. And now I feel silly for putting off building that website. Squarespace's blueprint AI thing literally built me a custom website in minutes. I just told it a few details about the project, and boom, it generated everything. And everything you need is right there. I can schedule guest interviews, send email campaigns, even sell merch, all from one dashboard. Now it's your turn to stop procrastinating and start building. You can use Squarespace to launch that business site or any site that you've been dreaming about. But putting off today, there's no excuse anymore. Especially since you can head to squarespace.com smarted for a free trial. And when you're ready to launch, you can use Code smarted to save 10% on your first purchase of a website or domain. That's squarespace.com smarted code smarted. Now back to who's smarted. Okay, Sarge, how does one escape an avalanche?

[C]

The key thing is to think, act, and move fast. Got that? Uh, faster.

[B]

Yes, sir. Moving fast.

[A]

Me too. Me too.

[C]

If you're on skis, you want to go straight downhill to pick up speed. And if you're on a snowmobile, you want to rev that engine. But when you get to the bottom of the slope, you definitely don't want to be under the oncoming avalanche. You should always try to veer off to the side. If that doesn't work, try grabbing onto something.

[A]

Smarty pins. What's something you can grab if you're stuck in an avalanche? A rock, a tree, or a low flying eagle?

[C]

Listen up, men. If you can grab a tree, grab a tree. But if you're going too fast, you might hit that tree too hard. So in that case, try swimming instead.

[B]

Swimming? But there's no water.

[C]

Yes, swim in the snow. That'll keep you from sinking. Because when you hit the bottom of the slope, you're gonna want to be at the top of the snow.

[B]

Then what happens when you hit the bottom of the slope?

[C]

Snow settles like concrete, making it impossible to move. Right, before that happens, put your fist upwards, creating a hole and clear space around your mouth. That'll help you breathe and make it easier for rescuers to find find you.

[A]

That's good advice. I hope we never have to use.

[C]

Right. Well, carry on. Hup, 2, 3, 4. Hup, 2, 3,. Hup, 2, 3, four. Hup, 2, 3.

[B]

Very smart, but also very loud.

[A]

But he didn't cause an avalanche.

[B]

Fine. How loud do you have to get to trigger an avalanche?

[A]

Good question. The answer is.

[B]

Oh no. Now what other loud person has found us?

[C]

This is Chet Nickerson reporting with a snowy mountain. News flash. The trusty narrator and his nervous climbing buddy Dave are sh. Sorry, Dave, but you can't silence the news. As I was saying, the trusty narrator and his friend Dave are in for a big treat because the mountaintop marching band is about to play. What?

[B]

Quiet.

[A]

Quiet. Quiet. Oh no.

[B]

I just yelled really loud. Did I trigger an avalanche?

[C]

Well, if you did, I sure know what my lead story would be for this evening's news report.

[A]

Let's get to the bottom of this once and for all, smarty pants. True or false? Loud noises trigger avalanches. The answer is false.

[B]

False? How can that be? Everyone knows loud noises cause avalanches.

[A]

Sorry, Dave, but that happens only in TV shows, movies or made up stories. Real life avalanches are not caused by loud noises. Final question, smarty pants. What is the number one cause of the deadliest avalanches? Is it a earthquakes, baby? Human activity or sea weather?

[B]

I don't know. Seems like all those things could trigger an avalanche.

[A]

You're right, Dave, But a whopping 90% of all avalanches involving people are caused by people skiing, snowboarding, mountain Climbing and snowmobiling have all been known to trigger avalanche. They happen when a person or vehicle goes over a thick layer of snow that's sitting atop weaker and more slippery snow. This collapses the weak layer, and all the snow on top of it starts tumbling down.

[B]

Oh, well, that could still happen here. I've seen skiers on this mountaintop, not to mention a marching band.

[A]

True, but avalanches don't usually strike without warning. A slope that had recent snowstorms, major temperature changes, or heavy winds is more susceptible to an avalanche. Avalanche experts look for warning signs to make sure that popular snowy spots like this trail are safe. Sometimes they might even trigger an avalanche on purpose.

[B]

On purpose? Yep.

[A]

They do it when nobody's around in order to prevent one from happening later. But these experts can't be everywhere. These days, most avalanche victims are skiers or snowmobilers out in the wilderness where there are very few people.

[B]

So we're safe from avalanches here?

[A]

You betcha.

[B]

Well, in that case, there's something I've been wanting to do all day.

[A]

Oh, yeah?

[B]

What's that, Yodela?

[A]

A cool shout out to Aston in Detroit, Michigan. We hear you love the variety of subjects on who Smarted and that the Minecraft episode is your favorite. Thanks for smarting with us and being part of our Smarty family. Astonishment. This episode, Avalanches was written by Dangerous Dave Beaudry and voiced by Will Ormsby Carey, Adam Lanch, Tex Davis and Jerry Colbert. Technical direction and sound design by Josh Hazardous Hahn, whose Sparta is recorded and mixed at the Relic Room studios. Our associate producer is Max Mudslide Kamasky. The theme song is by Brian Snowslide Suarez with lyrics written and performed by Adam Tex Davis. Who Smarted was created and produced by Adam Tex Davis and Jerry Kolber. This has been an Atomic Entertainment production.