OCR Text |
Show 3 with this, especially apt is the position of the authors that the danger from avalanches grows in proportion to the growth of economic development and number of visitors to the mountains. The authors mention the " potential victims," the number of which will increase in proportion to the development of the mountains. The authors write: " It is impossible to assume that in the future danger from avalanches in the U. S. A. will decrease: Industry, communication and commerce are growing here too swiftly. It would be a mistake to consider that the danger arises only in isolated winters with unusual weather condi t ions." A large number of people have entered this U. S. Service, created for the forecasting of avalanches. They can be found here and there in the mountainous areas, observing the accumulation and makeup of snow on the slopes, comparing these observations with the weather conditions, forecasting the approach of danger and warning the populace, preventing the avalanches, and carrying out rescue work in case of avalanche disaster. In the book are given the fundamentals of the correct approach to organization of avalanche- service and methods of forecasting the approach of avalanche danger. The problem of avalanches has been well researched from every side and measures are suggested for defence from them. The greater part of the book deals with these problems. The worth of the book is in its geographical approach to the studied phenomenon ( the individual irregularities of the U. S. Mountain regions are taken into account). Consistently put forth is the idea about the uselessness of universal standard criteria for forecasting the time of formation of an avalanche. The authors have strived to some degree to standardize the system of observations and the form of recording and documenting materials. |