[ w i n d s t o r m s   :   w h a t ' s   a   s a n d s t o r m ? ]

Sandstorms are usually found in dry desert areas, where strong winds whip up the loose top layer of sand and carry it away. Swirling, airborne sand will form a low cloud 20 inches above the ground, moving erratically as the particles collide. Sandstorms are extremely dangerous to desert dwellers and travelers. People find it difficult to see and keep their sense of direction. Such storms also damage crops and ruin machinery.

In desert areas like the Arabian peninsula, a wind known as the Simoom can carry so much sand into the air that visibility is practically reduced to zero. Hot, electrically charged air becomes filled with tons of dust that move in thick walls or vortexes. Dust devils, small, short-lived dust vortexes that whirl along at 20 mph (3 kph), also roam across the earth.

[ info ]: introduction - black night - what's a duststorm? - what's a sandstorm? - references - glossary

[ reality ]: current events - real life stories - interviews

[ interact ]: multimedia - simulations - classroom - activities - quizzes - message board - resources

[ general ]: about - win our award - awards we've won - guestbook - help - contact us - sitemap

[ forces ]: avalanches - droughts - earthquakes - flooding - fog & mist - forest fires - hurricanes - landslides - monsoons - phenomena - severe storms - snowstorms - tornadoes - tsunamis - volcanoes - windstorms - main page