A Discovery That Raised More Questions Than Answers
Dr. Matej Lipar, an adjunct research fellow at Curtin University’s School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, described his reaction with disbelief. “This scar was a remarkable find,” he said. “Its sudden appearance was a real puzzle.”
Located roughly 20 kilometers north of the Trans-Australian Railway, the sheer size and clarity of the mark suggested it wasn’t a geological anomaly. That realization led Dr. Lipar and his team to organize an expedition to investigate the site in person.
Clear Evidence of a Powerful Tornado
On the ground, the team identified distinct cycloidal patterns—curving marks formed by tornado suction vortexes. These patterns confirmed the cause: a powerful tornado that likely rated F2 to F3 on the Fujita scale, with wind speeds exceeding 200 kilometers per hour.
Based on the damage and spacing of the markings, researchers estimate the tornado lasted between seven and thirteen minutes, carving a dramatic path through the barren terrain.
Pinpointing When It Happened
By comparing satellite images taken before and after the event, scientists narrowed the tornado’s occurrence to a short window between November 16 and November 18, 2022.
Tornadoes are extremely rare in the Nullarbor Plain. In fact, only three have ever been documented in the region—and all occurred in November. “It’s fascinating that tornadoes here seem to form around the same time each year,” Dr. Lipar noted.
