01-12-2013, 08:35 PM
A gigantic dust storm threatens to swamp small boats as Australia’s wild weather continues.
The tsunami-like wave of sand could be seen travelling for miles near the town of Onslow, north of Perth.
Tugboat worker Brett Martin captured one dramatic picture 25 miles off the coast of Western Australia.
These types of storms are rare, caused when strong winds blow loose sand and dirt along dry areas of land.
As the particles become smaller, they are suspended in air by the wind.
Climate expert John Relf told The Australian: “If it’s dry in-land, boom, there you go. It was the right recipe.”
It follows the arrival of Cyclone Narelle in the area which has intensified into a Category 4 storm and forced iron ore export terminals and oil fields to shut down.
On the other side of the country, thick smoke from raging bush fires engulfed holiday homes on Bribie Island off the Queensland coast.
These are the latest incidents following weeks of extreme weather and very high temperatures.
http://scottbob.com/amazing-photo-of-wal...cean-92565
![[Image: sandwall.jpg]](http://scottbob.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/sandwall.jpg)
![[Image: sandwall2.jpg]](http://scottbob.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/sandwall2.jpg)
The tsunami-like wave of sand could be seen travelling for miles near the town of Onslow, north of Perth.
Tugboat worker Brett Martin captured one dramatic picture 25 miles off the coast of Western Australia.
These types of storms are rare, caused when strong winds blow loose sand and dirt along dry areas of land.
As the particles become smaller, they are suspended in air by the wind.
Climate expert John Relf told The Australian: “If it’s dry in-land, boom, there you go. It was the right recipe.”
It follows the arrival of Cyclone Narelle in the area which has intensified into a Category 4 storm and forced iron ore export terminals and oil fields to shut down.
On the other side of the country, thick smoke from raging bush fires engulfed holiday homes on Bribie Island off the Queensland coast.
These are the latest incidents following weeks of extreme weather and very high temperatures.
http://scottbob.com/amazing-photo-of-wal...cean-92565
