Impressive images: Haboob captured from the air

On October 6th, a vast haboob, or dust storm, occurred in California. Whilst impressive from the ground, extraordinary images were also captured from a plane above.

A haboob is a powerful dust storm that regularly occurs in drier areas around the world. The dangerous dust clouds are regularly reported from the Middle East, North Africa, Australia and the United States, including one just recently in Phoenix.

In extreme cases, the wall of sand and dust can travel at speeds of over 45mph and reach heights of 5km and widths of 100km. The above and below sandstorm was captured near 45mph.

They are caused by very strong winds, often produced by the outflow of thunderstorms. In dry regions, the winds then pull dust up from the ground into the air, creating a dust storm and dramatically reducing visibility.

The increasingly large dust cloud created in the process is called a haboob and can be extremely dangerous to people, animals and plants.