Dust storm is a strong, turbulent wind that carries fine particles of clay, silt, and other earthy material for long distances. The particles are swept up and remain suspended in the air during a dust storm. Most of the particles measure less than 0.0625 millimeter (1/400 inch) in diameter. Dust storms occur where the ground has little or no protective vegetation. This condition may result from low rainfall, overgrazing, or poor farming practices. Dust storms play an important role in soil erosion.
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A dust storm may cover hundreds of miles. It may rise to a height of more than 10,000 feet (3,000 meters). It carries as much as 4,000 tons of dust particles per cubic mile of air (3,600 metric tons per cubic kilometer). Winds of at least 25 miles per hour (40 kilometers per hour) are associated with dust storms.
In the United States, a dust storm is reported when blowing dust reduces visibility below 5/8 mile (1 kilometer). During the 1930’s, parts of Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas were hit by dust storms that resulted from soil erosion. Today, dust storms occur in parts of northern Africa, Asia, and Europe.
