Frightening wonders of nature: What a fire tornado looks like
A fire tornado is one of the most exciting and terrifying natural phenomena. We will tell you how this phenomenon occurs and why it is considered so rare and dangerous. Watch as the fiery whirlwind rises into the sky, creating a breathtaking yet frightening spectacle.
Australian director Chris Tangey captured a rare natural phenomenon - a fire tornado 30 meters high near the city of Alice Springs, Australia. A burning pillar appeared not far from the film crew. Amazed Tanji and his colleagues watched the burning tornado for about 40 minutes.
A firestorm is a rare and terrifying natural phenomenon that occurs as a result of large fires where the interaction of high temperatures and strong winds results in the formation of a rotating column of fire and smoke. This narrow fire vortex can reach a height of several hundred meters and spread over long distances, posing a serious threat to everything in its path.
The dangers associated with a firestorm should not be underestimated. High temperatures and the speed of fire spread make it almost uncontrollable. A fire whirlwind can carry burning debris over significant distances, causing new fires. In this case, the tornado can suddenly change direction, creating dangerous conditions for firefighters and rescuers. Smoke and toxic gases released during combustion also pose a serious threat to human health, causing suffocation and poisoning.
The occurrence of a fire tornado requires a combination of several conditions. First of all, it is an intense combustion that creates extremely high temperatures. This temperature generates rising air currents, creating low pressure near the ground. When winds blowing from different directions meet, the rising air currents begin to swirl, forming a fiery vortex. Firestorms most often occur in arid regions, where dry and hot weather allows fires to spread quickly.
Interestingly, fire tornadoes have been documented since ancient times. One of the most famous cases is the Great Fire of London of 1666, when eyewitnesses described tornadoes of fire destroying entire neighborhoods. In more modern times, in 1923 in Japan, during the Kanto earthquake, fire tornadoes led to the death of thousands of people.
Firestorms themselves are so rare and unique that scientists are still studying their nature. Firestorms represent one of the most extreme and spectacular demonstrations of the power of nature, reminding humanity of the power and unpredictability of the world around us.