science

Nine skiers have been found dead following a catastrophic avalanche in California's Lake Tahoe backcountry near Castle Peak, marking the deadliest avalanche in modern California history. The group had been on a three-day guided backcountry skiing expedition when a football-field-sized avalanche carrying eight feet of snow and 90-mph winds struck them on Tuesday. Harsh weather conditions, including whiteout visibility and continued avalanche danger, delayed rescue operations for several days until helicopters could safely assist on Friday. The victims included six close friends, two sisters, and three professional guides from Blackbird Mountain, while two members of the 15-person group survived the disaster. # Key Takeaways