Crossword Genius

A new church in a valley – location of mountain tragedy? (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

avalanche

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'location of mountain tragedy?' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to natural events as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'a new church in a valley' is the wordplay.
'a' becomes 'an'.
'new church' becomes 'ch' (common abbreviation. I am not sure about the 'new' bit.).
'in' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'valley' becomes 'vale' (synonyms).
'an'+'ch'='anch'
'a'+'vale'='avale'
'anch' going within 'avale' is 'AVALANCHE'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for avalanche that I've seen before include "big fall" , "Come down heavily" , "great fall" , "Large snow or rock fall" , "Landfall" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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