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

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.

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.

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]

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

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

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)!