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What causes sandstorms?
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| Sandstorms are caused by strong winds blowing over loose soil or sand, and picking up so much
of that material that visibility is reduced. In desert regions at certain times of the year, sandstorms
become more frequent because the strong heating of the air over the desert causes the lower atmosphere
to become unstable. This instability mixes higher winds in the
middle troposphere downward, producing stronger winds at the surface.
In the United States, these events are often referred to as "dust storms".
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Interesting facts:
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| THE DUST BOWLThere was a prolonged drought in the great plains of
the United States in the 1930's. This led to vast areas of exposed dirt, which helped feed dust storms. It is not
known what caused this event, but it is believe that poor land use practices by farmers made the situation worse
that it would have otherwise been, by plowing up relatively dry grassland to plant wheat. The dust bowl, which made life even more misearble for many during
the Great Depression occuring at this time, was highlighted in John Steinbeck's novel "The Grapes of Wrath".
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Dr. Roy W. Spencer:
GLOBAL WARMING: Manmade or Natural?
Now IN-STOCK at Amazon.com:
CLIMATE CONFUSION:
How Global Warming Hysteria Leads to Bad Science,
Pandering Politicians, and Misguided Policies that Hurt the Poor
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