Natural Disaster Facts Seven

The two deadliest avalanches in history occurred on Huascarán, a mountain in Peru. The first happened on January 11, 1962 when a rapid rise in temperature contributed to a landslide that killed about 4000. The second occurred on May 31, 1970 when an earthquake caused part of the mountain to collapse and the towns of Yungay and Ranrahirca were buried killing more that 20,000 people. That same earthquake also destroyed a reservoir dam and the flood waters killed more than 20,000 in Huaraz.