Researchers from Curtin University have identified a striking arid footprint stretching 11 kilometers across the Nullarbor Plain in South Australia. The long scar, visible as a pale curved line across the landscape, is interpreted as the remnant path of a powerful hurricane’s forces. The study detailing the discovery appears in the Southern Hemisphere Journal of Earth Systems Science (JSHES).
The trace came to light after a cave explorer examining geological features used Google Earth satellite imagery. The unusual line drew attention from the scientific team, which then mounted more detailed investigations on the ground and with additional remote-sensing data. The event sparked collaboration across disciplines to confirm the interpretation.
Analysis indicates the pathway formed during a brief but intense rainfall episode between November 16 and 18, 2022, when the region recorded heavy downpours. The scar’s timing aligns with a sudden surge in moisture and convective activity that can accompany such tropical systems, even in remote areas.
The scar itself measures roughly 160 to 250 feet in width and displays cycloidal curvature patterns attributed to suction eddies generated by the hurricane. The researchers assign the event a likely strength rating of F2 to F3 on the Fujita scale, with sustained winds exceeding 200 km/h. The storm moved eastward, lasting between seven and thirteen minutes, a brief but intense impulse capable of moving through the desert landscape and stripping away topsoil, uprooting vegetation, and leaving a visible incision that persisted for many months.
Tornadoes and strong convective events in the Nullarbor are rare, largely because the region is remote and sparsely populated. The discovery represents the fourth such tornado-related feature recorded there, and all identified events occurred in November, a period of atmospheric instability that remains the focus of ongoing study.
Researchers emphasize the crucial role of satellite technology in both detecting and analyzing this phenomenon. High-resolution imagery allows scientists to map the scar’s geometry, estimate wind speeds from erosion patterns, and cross-reference precipitation records. In this case, satellite data provided a crucial link that guided subsequent fieldwork and laboratory analysis.
Understanding how hurricanes form and behave in sparsely settled regions has practical implications for hazard planning in remote areas of North America and elsewhere. The new findings contribute to a broader picture of how extreme weather can leave discernible marks on hard, sun-baked landscapes and how early detection through remote sensing could improve preparedness and response in isolated communities.
In related scientific endeavors, researchers have advanced additive manufacturing techniques, such as 3D printing of vascular structures, to model complex biological systems. The cross-disciplinary progress highlights how high-fidelity physical models can support simulations of natural processes, from subsurface flow to weather-driven terrain changes.