Sandstorm effect. Australia hit by a powerful dust storm, residents are asked to stay indoors
Sand (dust) storm is the transport of huge amounts of soil particles, such as sand and dust, in the atmosphere. In this case, there is a significant deterioration in line of sight (usually, at a level of 2 meters from the ground it is 1 km, in rare cases it can change to several hundred and even tens of meters). From the outside, the storm looks like a dense wall several hundred meters high.
Sandstorms occur with strong air currents, the speed of which is more than 10 m/sec; it depends on the type and moisture of the soil. In desert and semi-desert areas, this atmospheric phenomenon is observed especially often.
To suppress a sandstorm, a variety of means are used that create physical resistance that prevents its further spread. Forests serve as a natural barrier of this kind; this is perhaps the most effective and cheapest means. Water and snow retention structures are also used.
In addition to the negative consequences of sand and dust storms, such as:
- Impact on the respiratory system of animal organisms.
- Significant deterioration of line of sight affecting air and road transport
- Destruction or temporary deterioration of fertile soil layers.
- Damage to young plants.
- And so on…
they can also bring benefits:
- Normalization of the climate of high-humidity tropical forests.
- Replenishing iron deficiency in the ocean.
- Dust promotes the growth of banana crops.
- And so on…
Interesting information about extraterrestrial dust storms, namely on Mars from Wikipedia:
The extreme difference in temperature between the ice shell and the warm air at the edge of Mars' southern polar cap results in strong winds that kick up huge clouds of red-brown dust. Experts believe that dust on Mars can play the same function as clouds on Earth - it absorbs sunlight and thereby heats the atmosphere.
Video recordings of sandstorms
Amazing video footage of a sandstorm driving directly into its epicenter.
Filming a sandstorm at some military base. A mixture of air and sand covers the entire area until it is completely hidden from sunlight.
Another video recording, but from the window of a high-rise building.
And finally, the most vivid and amazing photographs of dust and sand storms.
The strongest sandstorm on Mars.
Satellite photos of sandstorms in Australia:
Photos of Australian sandstorms, but from the ground:
A 500km dust cloud has already reached Sydney, causing flight delays. Poor visibility is also occurring in other areas of New South Wales.
It will be noted that the state has been experiencing a drought since August - strong winds raise dry soil, which caused the formation of a dust storm.
Local residents are urged to stay indoors, "especially children, the elderly and those with breathing problems." According to doctors, dozens of people have already turned for help with complaints of breathing problems. The number of victims due to the disaster is still unknown.
Residents of Sydney were alerted to the danger several hours ago when a dust storm with a front of about 500 km began to approach the city. Many other areas of NSW are also reporting poor visibility due to dust in the air.
Sandstorms and their features
A dust storm is a rather dangerous and unpleasant phenomenon in which large masses of dust (sand, soil) are lifted by the wind from the surface of the earth and move at a height of several meters, but in some cases the height can reach a kilometer or even more. From the outside it looks like a wall of dust and sand is moving towards you.
Other names for this phenomenon are “sandstorm” and “dust storm”. Sometimes it is also called a sand storm. This happens because a storm is a strong wind. A sandstorm is one type of storm. This should be understood.
Typically, after a dust storm (or even before it), particles of sand and dust are suspended in the air. They don’t move anywhere, but simply hover almost in one place, greatly impairing the view. This phenomenon is called dust haze (or sand haze).
Causes of the phenomenon
For a storm to occur, only two factors are sufficient: dry soil and strong wind (usually 10 m/s or stronger). It's simple: the wind lifts loose particles of sand, dust, and soil from the ground, which form a dust storm. This happens most often in deserts and semi-deserts, which is understandable, because these are the driest regions of the Earth.
Consequences of dust storms
— Reduced visibility, which greatly affects movement, be it flights or vehicles;
- Difficulty in breathing of living beings;
— Damage to plants (up to their destruction);
— Destruction of fertile soil layer;
- Decreasing the amount of sunlight reaching the planet's surface.
The largest number of dust storms is observed in the Sahara Desert. Interestingly, before they were not very common in the area, but since the middle of the last century their number has increased tenfold! If previously there were ten of them a year, now hundreds of storms a year no longer surprise anyone.
However, such a number is certainly not normal, as evidenced by the greatly reduced thickness of the top layer of soil (the most fertile) in those regions.
Not only are sandstorms a frequent occurrence, but they are also dangerous. Sometimes their strength reaches such an extent that the phenomenon can change the topography of the planet, for example, moving dunes in deserts. Although, to be fair, not only they change the relief, but also some other phenomena. For example, a sand whirlwind, they are also called dust devils.
But it's worth noting that dust storms can also be beneficial. After all, the same fertile soil that this phenomenon destroys in one region settles in another. For example, in Hawaii they are welcome because dust storms promote the growth of banana crops. Storms also replenish iron in the oceans, otherwise there would be a serious shortage of iron, which would affect the flora and fauna of the oceans (and this would affect people's lives).
A large number of dust and sand particles. Distributed in deserts, semi-deserts, and arable steppes, where strong winds blow.
1. General description
Dust storms are complex atmospheric phenomena characterized by the transport of dust and sand by strong and prolonged winds that destroy the soil surface. Dust storms, based on the color and composition of the dust that is transferred, are: black (chernozems), brown and yellow (loam, sandy loam), red (loams with an admixture of iron oxides) and white (salt marshes). Very often there are short-term black storms lasting up to one hour, a large number of them can also last from 10 to 12 hours, and relatively rarely such storms last more than a day. Red storms last longer - for several days. The height of dust rising can reach 2-3 km, but most often - 1-1.5 km. In the winter-spring period, snow and dust storms are observed in the central and southern regions of Ukraine
2. Where and when they arise
Dust storms occur in deserts, semi-deserts and steppe regions, where there is soil uncovered by grass. Dust storms can transport millions of tons of dust over hundreds and even thousands of kilometers. The destructive effect of a dust storm occurs additionally through the action of soil particles that move at high speed.
Dust storms usually occur in summer, sometimes in spring or winter when there is no snow. In the steppe zone they also occur due to irrational plowing of the land.
3. Actions in dust storm conditions
A person caught in a dust storm needs to lie down on the leeward side of any tall object that holds firmly to the ground - a stone, a thick bush, etc. The respiratory tract should be protected from sand and dust with a cloth bandage. Place a closed container with a supply of water next to you, under your arm.
4. In Ukraine
In February 1951, strong storms occurred in the Azov region with a speed of 16-18 m/s. They removed the weak snow cover and began to blow away the exposed soil. The snow, together with the blown soil, created many obstacles, forming black snowdrifts up to 1-1.5 meters high. The blowing away of soil and winter crops continued into the spring months.
Dust storms are currently occurring temporarily in southern Ukraine. First of all in
Dust (sand) storm - in the form of the transfer of large quantities of dust (soil particles, grains of sand) by wind from the earth’s surface in a layer several meters high with noticeable deterioration (usually at a level of 2 m it ranges from 1 to 9 km, but in some cases it can drop to several hundred and even up to several tens of meters). In this case, dust (sand) rises into the air and, at the same time, dust settles over a large area. Depending on the color of the soil in a given region, distant objects take on a grayish, yellowish or reddish tint. It usually occurs when the soil surface is dry and the wind speed is 10 m/s or more.
Often occurs in the warm season in regions. When a certain threshold of wind speed is exceeded (depending on the mechanical composition of the soil and its moisture), particles break off from the surface and are transported by and, causing soil erosion.
Dusty (sandy) drifting snow - the transfer of dust (soil particles, grains of sand) by wind from the earth's surface in a layer 0.5-2 m high, which does not lead to a noticeable deterioration in visibility (if there are no other atmospheric phenomena, horizontal visibility at a level of 2 m is 10 km or more ). It usually occurs when the soil surface is dry and the wind speed is 6-9 m/s or more.
Geography
The main distribution area of dust storms is And temperate and tropical climate zones of both hemispheres of the Earth.
Desert and Deserts are the main sources of airborne dust in the area , make a smaller contribution, And . Dust storms in China carry dust to . Environmentalists believe that irresponsible management of the Earth's dry regions, such as ignoring the system, lead to and climate change at local and global levels.
Term "sandstorm", usually used in the sense sandstorms, especially in the Sahara, when in addition to small particles that reduce visibility, the wind also carries millions of tons of larger sand particles over the surface. Term dust storm refers more to the phenomenon of transport of small particles over distances of up to several thousand km, especially when storms “cover” urban areas.
High frequency of dust storms is observed in and (south), on the coasts, in , in Karakalpakstan and Turkmenistan. In Russia, dust storms are most often observed in, in the east and in.
During long periods of dry weather, dust storms can develop (not annually) in the steppe and forest-steppe zones: in Russia - in, , Tove, , , , , regions, Bashkiria,, , , regions, and region; on - in , , , , areas, in ; in the northern, central and eastern .
At (before a thunderstorm and heavy rain) short-term (from several minutes to an hour) local dust storms can be observed in the summer even at points located in the forest vegetation zone - incl. V and (1-3 days during the summer).
Causes
With an increase in the strength of the wind flow passing over loose particles, the latter begin to vibrate and then “jump”. When these particles repeatedly strike the ground, they create fine dust that rises in suspension.
A recent study suggests that the initial grains of sand through friction induces . The bouncing particles acquire a negative charge, which releases even more particles. This process captures twice as many particles as previous theories predict.Particles are released mainly due to and wind. Gust fronts may occur as air cools after a strong with rain or may be dry . After the passage of a dry cold front instability could create a dust storm. In desert areas, dust and sand storms most often occur as a result of thunderstorm outlets and increased wind speeds. The vertical dimensions of a storm are determined by the stability of the atmosphere and the weight of the particles. In some cases, dust and sand storms may be confined to a relatively thin layer due to the temperature inversion effect. In other cases, dust can rise to a height of 6100 m.
Ways to fight
To prevent and reduce the effects of dust storms, forest shelterbelts, snow and water retention complexes are created, and agrotechnical methods are used, such as grass sowing, and contour plowing.
Environmental consequences
Sandstorms can move entire and carry enormous volumes of dust, so that the storm front can appear as a dense wall 1.6 km high. Dust and sand storms coming from the desert also known as, (in Egypt and) and (in).
Most dust storms originate in the Sahara, especially in the basin and in the area of convergence of boundaries, And . Over the past half century (since the 1950s), Saharan dust storms have increased approximately 10-fold, causing a decrease in the thickness of the topsoil in, Chad, northern and . In the 1960s, Mauritania experienced only two dust storms, but currently experiences 80 storms per year. Volume of dust blown from the Sahara towards the Atlantic Ocean in June five times more than a year ago, which could cool Atlantic waters and reduce activity slightly .
Economic consequences
The main damage caused by dust storms is the destruction of the fertile soil layer, which reduces its . In addition, the abrasive effect damages young plants. Other possible negative effects include: decreased , affecting air and road transport; reducing the amount of sunlight reaching the Earth's surface; thermal blanket effect; adverse effects on the respiratory system of living organisms.
Dust can also be beneficial in areas of deposition - And receives most of its mineral fertilizers from the Sahara, replenishes the lack of iron in the ocean, dust on helps to grow cultures. In northern China and the western United States, soils with sediment from ancient storms, called , are very fertile, but are also the source of modern dust storms when the vegetation that binds the soil is disrupted.
Extraterrestrial dust storms
The strong difference in temperature between the ice shell and warm air at the edge of Mars's southern polar cap leads to the occurrence of strong winds that raise huge clouds of red-brown dust. Experts believe that dust on Mars can play the same function as clouds on Earth - it absorbs sunlight and thereby heats the atmosphere.
Dust storms are caused by strong winds from the earth's surface and transport by air currents of mineral dust, sand, salts and other particles, mostly less than one millimeter in size.
On the territory of Kazakhstan, dust storms are most often observed in April-May and August-September. Relatively rarely, they can develop in the winter months, if the surface of the earth is not covered with snow.
An increased frequency of strong dust storms was noted in the west of Kazakhstan and the eastern coast of the Caspian Sea, along the valley of the Syr Darya River and in the Aral Sea region, the Torgai depression, the sandy deserts of Kyzylkum, Moinkum and the Balkhash region, the flat areas of central and northern Kazakhstan, and in the valley of the Irtysh River. The number of these storms in these areas can reach from 5-6 to several dozen per year.
Storms cause a whole range of adverse effects on the human body, the surrounding nature and mechanisms.
In the Irtysh region on May 19, 1960, a dust storm lasted 12 hours, as a result of which a desert covered with uprooted wheat spread out in place of friendly shoots. During the storm, the air was so saturated with dust that it was impossible to see a person 3-4 m away, and lights were turned on in the houses during the day.
From earlier information about catastrophic dust storms in Kazakhstan, the following can be cited: “In November 1910, the storm began in the evening. On the first night, the wind reached enormous strength and then raged without a break for three days. All this time, people did not leave their tents, because and during the day it was dark. Along with the mass of dust, sand and snow, even small stones were carried into the steppe by the wind, where most of the livestock died. In the area of Mangyshlak alone, 0.5 million sheep and goats died. . horses and 0.03 million camels."
Precautionary measures
If you are in a populated area, when a dust storm approaches, you should take shelter indoors, tightly closing windows and doors. Pets must be confined to their designated pens or areas.
If you are away from settlements on pastures in the sand, you need to shelter the cattle in a depression between fixed ridges of sand. If there are thickets of saxaul or tall bushes nearby, it is better to place the livestock there until the storm is over.
If a storm catches you on the way far from populated areas, then if visibility deteriorates to the point where you can lose your bearings and get lost, you must stop moving. It can be resumed only after the end of the storm or when the visibility range increases to a kilometer or more. If the path is lost, then it is necessary to stay in place and organize distress signals after the storm - light clearly visible fires from highly smoking materials.
If you are in a car, then if visibility is lost, you need to pull over to the side of the road, turn off the engine, and tightly close the doors and windows of the cabin. Cover the engine air filter with cloth. Ground the car body. After the storm is over, clean the engine of sand and dust, remove matter from the air filter, start the engine and start driving.
If during a dust storm you find yourself in the open air outside closed rooms and car interiors, you need to fasten your clothes tightly, put on a hat, and protect your eyes from dust and sand particles with special glasses. If you don’t have them, you can use regular glasses, covering them on the side with your hands to minimize the possibility of dust getting into your eyes. It is necessary to find some kind of shelter from the wind: thickets of bushes, saxaul, and use uneven terrain. If you have any kind of cape, you can use it as protection from dust, cold wind and hypothermia.
During dust storms that occur at elevated air temperatures (more than 35°C), it is necessary to take measures against overheating of the body. To do this, you need to have a supply of fresh water at the rate of 8 liters per person per day. Periodically during a storm, drink a few sips of water, ensuring the body sweats. At these air temperatures, it is advisable to limit mobility.
To limit the entry of dust into the respiratory system, it is advisable to breathe during a storm through some kind of mask made of several layers of gauze, cloth or a handkerchief. If possible, use a personal protective respirator such as “Petal” or R-2.
In the presence of atmospheric electricity and lightning discharges during storms, it is necessary to ground premises, cars, antennas of radio receiving and transmitting devices, and television equipment. Operating personnel must ensure that power and communication lines are protected from electrical discharges.
You cannot seek shelter from storms near power lines or isolated trees.