A stunning discovery in Australia’s Nullarbor Plain has shed light on the ferocity of nature and the power of technology. A man scouring Google Earth for caves stumbled upon a massive, mysterious scar stretching across the barren landscape. What scientists uncovered has transformed understanding of weather in the remote region: the scar was left by a powerful tornado that had gone unnoticed.
Unveiling Nature’s Fury
The scar, first spotted in satellite images, prompted researchers to investigate. Scientists determined the tornado struck between November 16 and 18, 2022, during a period of heavy rain and intense cloud cover. Measuring 11 kilometers long and up to 250 meters wide, the scar bore telltale cycloidal marks—patterns created by tornado suction vortexes.
This was no ordinary storm. The tornado was classified as a strong F2 or F3, with wind speeds exceeding 200 kilometers (124 miles) per hour. Researchers estimate it lasted between seven and 13 minutes, tearing through soil and vegetation as it moved eastward with a cold front.
A Rare Find in a Remote Land
Tornadoes are a known phenomenon in Australia, but they rarely strike the remote Nullarbor Plain. The area’s isolation means such events often go undocumented, particularly since they typically don’t damage property or infrastructure. Before this discovery, only three tornadoes had been recorded in the region, all occurring in November.
The Nullarbor Plain’s dry, treeless terrain helped preserve the scar for over 18 months, allowing researchers to examine it on-site in May 2024. Slow-growing vegetation in the arid landscape has yet to cover the marks left by the storm, which eroded soil and reshaped the Earth.
Insights and Implications
The study, published in the Journal of Southern Hemisphere Earth Systems Science, underscores the importance of satellite imagery in detecting and studying weather phenomena in remote regions. Scientists believe analyzing these scars provides crucial data for predicting and preparing for future tornadoes in sparsely populated areas.
Despite being overshadowed by the devastating tornadoes often reported in the U.S. or South Asia, Australia has a history of significant storms. Tornadoes have struck urban and rural areas alike, with one 2013 event causing widespread damage along the Victoria-New South Wales border.
A Wake-Up Call
The Nullarbor tornado serves as a stark reminder that extreme weather can strike anywhere. This discovery not only sheds light on a little-known aspect of Australia’s weather patterns but also highlights the potential for undetected natural phenomena in remote areas.
As technology continues to advance, tools like Google Earth will play an increasingly vital role in uncovering hidden evidence of nature’s power. For now, the Nullarbor tornado stands as both a remarkable scientific finding and a sobering reminder of nature’s unpredictability.