What Is the World's Deadliest Avalanche?

Avalanches are among nature's most destructive forces, capable of unleashing massive amounts of snow, ice, and debris down mountainsides with devastating consequences. The deadliest avalanche ever recorded is the 1970 Huascarán avalanche in Peru, triggered by a massive earthquake that destabilized Mount Huascarán's northern wall. On May 31, 1970, a colossal chunk of glacier broke free, hurtling down at speeds up to 335 kilometers per hour and obliterating the towns of Yungay and Ranrahirca. This catastrophic event claimed between 18,000 and 20,000 lives, leaving an indelible mark on Peru's history and highlighting the severe risks of unstable glaciers.