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Glossary Index

Avalanche Institute

 

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Glide

Also: Gliding Surface

The slow downhill movement of the entire snowpack along the ground surface, or similar relative slip between snow layers. Not to be confused with creep.

The surface where the relative slip or glide occurs is referred to as the glide surface.

GlideThis figure shows the effects of gravity on an inclined snowpack. The black arrows show glide, which is the motion that results if the entire snowpack slips at the base. There is no difference in motion through the snowpack with glide.

The red arrows show creep. The difference in motion between the surface and the base introduces tension, particularly over convex features.

The blue arrow shows settlement.

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