Dust storm

Dust storm approaching Stratford, Texas, in 1935.

A dust storm, or sandstorm, is a storm of small particles of sand and dirt. Dust storms happen when a strong wind front blows loose sand and dust from a dry surface. Particles are picked up and suspended in the air, causing soil erosion where they were. The wind drops them in another place where they can form loess, a kind of silt.

Dust Storm Media

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  An aerial view of a sandstorm over the Namib Desert

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  Animation showing the global movement of dust from an Asian dust storm.

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  Dust storm in Sahara, painted by George Francis Lyon

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  Sydney shrouded in dust during the 2009 Australian dust storm.

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  Sandstorm on road to Karbala

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  Orbital view of a Martian dust storm