The Effect of Snow on Society and its People
In Partnership with Ms. Yulia Zaikia
By: Lexi Noble
Honors Science
December 20, 2013
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Society and people are affected by many factors, but the public never thinks about one of the
most dangerous ecological processes, snow. The formation of snow is a key factor to why snow
is so dangerous. Meteorologists can predict snow patterns even while the snow storm is still
forming. Glaciology is the study of snow and all its related components. Glaciologists, the
scientists who study snow, help laypersons to understand the components of snow and how it
effects life on Earth. Their research impacts regions where snow falls for most of the year.
Ms. Yulia Zaika along with other researchers, are very important glaciologists in the Arctic.
These scientists are experts on the formation of snow. The process of snow starts when ice
crystals form around a condensation nucleus, usually a grain of sand or dirt. Once these ice
crystals become heavy they descend to the ground. Snow is classified as solid precipitation. In
order for snow to form, the atmospheric temperature must be at or below freezing. The ground
temperature can be above freezing, but cannot be over 41˚F. The way snow is formed and how
much snow is created affects society and cultural traditions enormously.
Snow effects society and the culture of many people. Snow can change the social aspect of a
community. Heavy snow fall causes people to stay indoors and off the streets, and the only way
to talk to people is through technology; there is no face-to-face
interaction. In the Murmansk Region of Russian Arctic people
celebrate a snow festival every year by constructing snow and ice
sculptures and participating in activities all around the community.
This community embraces the snow culturally unlike many other
cities and towns. Society and cultures are affected negatively
by the natural disasters that snow causes.
At left: a woman preparing her sculpture
for the Snow Festival.
Natural disasters happen every day around the world, but
avalanches that are caused by snow kill on average 150 people every year. Avalanches are
mostly caused by having a large amount of snow fall at one time. The dramatic change in the
snows weight will cause it to fall, rolling down the
mountain slope. Most people think that a loud noise can
cause an avalanche, that is correct but isn’t very
common. Snow also causes severe blizzards. Blizzards
Diagram of the avalanche stages.
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are caused by a warm front and a cold front colliding and creating a low pressure zone. In 1993
and 1996 two major blizzards swept through Canada and down into the US and killed over one
hundred people. Both natural disasters have two major points in common; snow and they both
effect people and their possessions.
Snow storms are a large threat to humans. The immediate impact of avalanches and blizzards can
injure and kill people; people can get caught or trapped in the debris and not be able to get out
for hours or even days. Many humans have adapted to the harsh conditions of snow by creating
search and rescue jobs and providing classes to people and families in regions where avalanches
and blizzards are common. The countries that are severely affected by the dangers of snow are
supported by surrounding countries by providing supplies to communities. Scientists are
researching ways to help communities prepare and prevent snow disasters.
Many snow experts advise people to have a plan and small kit of necessary items to keep in a
house or a car. In regions where snow is falling for most of
the year a “survival” kit is common. There are many
precautions to take while preparing for a snow storm. Most
experts say that you should always have enough food, just
in case the weather conditions are too bad to leave your
“Survival” kit for the snowy
months.
home. Experts say you can do to protect yourself, but
there is nothing yet to fully protect people from the
effect of snow.
Climate change is very important in the study of avalanches. The change in Earth’s climate is
caused by the use of fossil fuels and deforestation. Communities can help end climate change by
being more conscientious when it comes to energy use. Scientists say that as a society people
need to worry and do their best to protect the change in climate.
Glaciology is advancing every day, and scientists are always looking for new data. Glaciologists
have come very far in recent years and will only go further. New advancements in equipment
have made the research process easier and more exact than ever before. The ecological process
of snow affects many people, cultures, and societies each in a positive and negative way.
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Works Cited
"avalanche problems." canadian avalanche centre. N.p.. Web. 15 Dec 2013.
<http://www.avalanche.ca/cac/training/online-course/avalanche-formation/Avalanche
-problems>.
"Climate change: Catastrophe in the making." Environmental Defense Fund. Environmental
Defense Fund. Web. 12 Dec 2013. <http://www.edf.org/climate/climate-facts-dangers
-and-what-you-can-do?s_src=ggad&s_subsrc=Global
-Warming&gclid=CPqa97HOs7sCFSEV7Aod0DwABQ
"Loose dry avalanches." canadian avalanche centre. N.p.. Web. 15 Dec 2013.
<http://www.avalanche.ca/cac/training/online-course/avalanche-formation/primaryconcerns/loose-dry >.
"Snowpack Layering." canadian avalanche centre. N.p.. Web. 15 Dec 2013.
<http://www.avalanche.ca/cac/training/online-course/avalanche-formation/snowpack-layering>.
"Produktdetail." Riegl. Riegl. Web. 15 Dec 2013. <http://www.riegl.com/nc/products/terrestrialscanning/produktdetail/product/scanner/33/>.
Zakia, Yulia. "Make it a better world." Arctic Research. Khibiny Times, 26 june 2013. Web. 15
Dec 2013. <http://arcticresearch.wordpress.com/2013/06/26/make-it-a-better-world/>.
Zaikia, Yulia. "Science Mentor program." Message to Lexi Noble. 10 Dec 2013. E-mail.
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