Dust & Smoke :: Related Earth Observatory Articles

When the Dust Settles
Each year, several hundred million tons of African dust are transported westward over the Atlantic to the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. Summer storms and accompanying warm air can lift dust as high as 15,000 feet above the African deserts, and then out across the Atlantic.

From the Dust Bowl to the Sahel
A severe drought combined with poor soil conservation practices can lead to extreme topsoil erosion, with devastating effects on the land. This is just what happened in the Great Plains region of the U.S. during the 1930s Dust Bowl years.

What Are Aerosols? Fact Sheet
Aerosols are tiny particles suspended in the air. Some occur naturally, originating from volcanoes, dust storms, forest and grassland fires, living vegetation, and sea spray. Human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels and the alteration of natural surface cover, also generate aerosols.

A Burning Question
Although cloud reflective properties and their effects on the global radiation balance have long captivated scientific interest, atmospheric aerosols are less well-studied.

Related Links: Fires, Floods, General, Severe Storms, Volcanoes

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