Google Earth Helps Uncover a Hidden Tornado Scar in Australia
In a remote part of the Australian outback, a man made a surprising discovery using Google Earth. He noticed a strange mark on the land, which turned out to be the remains of a powerful tornado that had gone unnoticed. This discovery has drawn interest from scientists, leading to further research on extreme weather in the area.

A Strange Mark Found on Google Earth
While exploring satellite images of the Nullarbor Plain in southern Australia, a caver noticed something unusual. It looked like a long scar in the dry landscape. At first, it seemed like a natural feature, but closer inspection showed that it stretched 11 kilometers long and up to 250 meters wide.
Dr. Matej Lipar, a researcher at Curtin University, called the discovery remarkable because no one had seen it before. Scientists quickly became interested and decided to investigate further.

The Tornado’s Impact
The scar is located about 20 kilometers north of the Trans-Australian Railway. When researchers arrived, they were surprised by how well-defined the marks were. The patterns in the land showed clear signs of tornado activity.
Dr. Lipar explained that the tornado likely measured F2 or F3 on the Fujita scale, with wind speeds over 200 kilometers per hour. The storm lasted between seven and 13 minutes, but it was strong enough to leave a lasting mark on the landscape.

When Did the Tornado Happen?
Using satellite images, scientists determined that the tornado occurred between November 16 and November 18, 2022. Interestingly, previous tornadoes in this region also happened in November.
“This could suggest a pattern, but we need more research to understand why tornadoes form here at this time of year,” said Dr. Lipar.

Why No One Noticed It Before
One reason this tornado went unnoticed is that the Nullarbor Plain is a remote and empty region. With very few people living there, tornadoes can happen without anyone seeing them.
“This discovery shows that even powerful weather events can go unreported in isolated areas,” Dr. Lipar said.

What This Means for Scientists
The finding gives scientists a chance to study tornadoes in remote locations. It also highlights how useful satellite technology is for spotting natural events that might otherwise be missed.
Dr. Lipar and his team plan to continue their research. Understanding how tornadoes form in the Nullarbor could help improve weather predictions, especially for similar remote areas worldwide.
