Soothes Aussie actress in Alps disaster (8)

I believe the answer is:

placates

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'soothes' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with human feelings as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

'aussie actress in alps disaster' is the wordplay.
'aussie actress' becomes 'cate' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'disaster' indicates an anagram.
'alps' with letters rearranged gives 'plas'.
'cate' inserted inside 'plas' is 'PLACATES'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for placates that I've seen before include "Assuages" , "Calms down" , "'Appeases, mollifies (8)'" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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