Buzz
Nature is constantly shattering records, but some occurrences are so extraordinary that they deserve to be remembered in their own category.
Some events are downright unsettling. For instance, when dense fog claimed the lives of thousands in London, or when aftershocks from an earthquake continued to shake Washington State for over a century. But the weather doesn't just scare people—sometimes it creates spectacles like lightning storms over lakes or rain that seems to last for eons.
10. The Catatumbo Lightning Show
Back in Colonial times, sailors depended on the Catatumbo Lightning as a natural beacon to guide them. It lit up the sky in a stunning display of white, blue, purple, red, and orange. Yet, this dazzling show didn’t come from a lighthouse tower—it was nature’s own light show from lightning itself.
The Catatumbo Lightning, located near Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela, is a place where about 1.2 million lightning strikes occur every year, making it the world’s most electrified region.
Some like to call the area the Eternal Storm. There are also tales claiming the lightning strikes occur without any thunder. Both myths are incorrect. The storms only happen roughly 160 nights a year, but when they do, they put on quite a show with up to 280 strikes per hour. The so-called 'silent lightning' occurs because people are often too far away to hear the thunder.
The reasons behind the intense lightning activity in this region remain unclear. Popular theories suggest that the lightning might be drawn to uranium deposits or methane in the area, or that the humid air contributes to the phenomenon.
9. Smoke That Hung Around for Half a Year
After the Australian bushfires of 2020 subsided, the sense of relief was immense. The fires' impact and the destruction they caused were overwhelming. To fully comprehend the extent of the disaster, scientists examined it from every angle. But those who looked up to the skies noticed something intriguing.
The Australian bushfires released more smoke into the atmosphere than anyone could have imagined, setting a new record for bushfire-related emissions. To give you an idea, the last time such a massive amount of smoke was released was in 1991 when the second-largest volcanic eruption of the 20th century took place in the Philippines.
The smoke from the Australian fires made a complete journey around the planet. It first left the eastern coast of Australia, only to return from the west two weeks later. This journey set a speed record for an event of its scale.
Normally, smoke lingers in the atmosphere for a few days or weeks, but the smoke from the 2020 fires remained suspended in the air for an entire six months.
8. The Coldest Cloud Ever Recorded
Scientists are fascinated by all kinds of measurements, including the temperature of clouds. In 2018, they discovered the coldest cloud on record. This icy formation hovered over the Pacific Ocean and disrupted satellite operations. It was so frigid that standard weather satellites couldn’t even measure its temperature.
An infrared sensor aboard a NOAA satellite was responsible for the discovery.
The cloud, part of a severe thunderstorm, was recorded at an astonishing minus 167.8 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 111 degrees Celsius). This extreme temperature was partly explained by a phenomenon called 'overshooting tops,' where a cloud’s top extends beyond the lower layer of the atmosphere into the much colder stratosphere.
The Pacific cloud featured an overshooting top. However, even the frigid stratosphere couldn’t fully explain why the top of this storm was 86 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius) colder than any other cloud previously recorded.
7. The Most Prolonged Aftershocks
In 1872, a powerful earthquake struck central Washington State. The epicenter was never pinpointed, and for decades, scientists were puzzled by the repeated earthquakes in Entiat, a nearby town. More than a century later, it became clear that these weren’t isolated incidents—they were part of hundreds of aftershocks from the 1872 event.
Seismologists’ understanding evolved as they started finding aftershocks around the globe that lasted longer than originally anticipated. These aftershocks also displayed different characteristics compared to typical earthquakes, and after analyzing the 1872 quake, researchers discovered that the subsequent tremors resembled aftershocks in almost every regard.
The Entiat phenomenon could very well be the longest-lasting aftershocks ever recorded. They have continued for nearly 150 years and are still ongoing.
6. The Largest Storm Ever Recorded
Typhoon Tip may not be a common name, but it certainly deserves recognition as the world’s largest storm. Originating in the Pacific Ocean, it rapidly intensified into a Super Typhoon. With a diameter of 1,380 miles (2,220 kilometers), it took the title of the largest storm ever recorded. Along with its immense size, Tip also boasted unprecedented strength.
The silver lining was that Typhoon Tip lost some of its power before making landfall in Japan on October 19, 1979. The unfortunate downside? It still caused a devastating disaster.
Nearly 90 lives were lost, and hundreds more were left injured. The floods caused massive mudslides, damaging 20,000 homes. Additionally, a gasoline tank exploded, setting a US Marine Corps base on fire, injuring dozens and claiming yet another life.
5. The Real Story Behind Beijing's Sandstorm
In 2021, fierce winds swept across the Gobi Desert, lifting sand and sending it through Mongolia. The colossal sandstorm resulted in 341 people going missing and at least 6 fatalities. Eventually, it reached Beijing, where it engulfed the city, hiding skyscrapers and turning the skies an eerie orange.
However, the media reports were incorrect. This wasn't a sandstorm.
It was, in fact, a dust storm. While the distinction may seem trivial, it was far more serious. Dust particles are smaller than sand, linger in the air much longer, and can penetrate the lungs much deeper. The situation worsened as the dust mixed with Beijing’s already hazardous pollution, creating a dense and toxic haze.
4. Black Sunday
In the 1930s, people across the Great Plains of the US were well-acquainted with the terrifying phenomenon of 'black blizzards.' These dust storms were so intense that they cast a shadow over everything. But it wasn’t until April 14, 1935, that one such storm gave the day a notorious title and marked the region’s infamous history as the Dust Bowl.
Black Sunday began as any ordinary day. Then, a massive blizzard appeared. But it quickly became clear that this was no typical storm. The dust storm stretched a staggering 1,000 miles (1,609 kilometers). It blocked out all sources of light, even street lamps. Families holed up inside their homes couldn’t see one another. The storm destroyed vital farmland, caused the deaths of numerous animals, and left one man blind. People were stranded in their cars for hours.
The destruction of the storm led to calls for federal assistance. Though the government offered support in the form of funds and advice, many families decided to abandon farming and leave the region behind.
3. A Million-Year Rain Storm
The Triassic period came to a close approximately 233 million years ago, during which time rain began to fall, setting off a storm that endured for a million years. This massive downpour became known as the Carnian Pluvial Episode (CPE).
The cause of this unprecedented rainfall had long been a mystery. However, a 2020 study identified two prime culprits: climate change and the violent eruptions of volcanoes. The eruptions were truly catastrophic, leaving behind vast lava fields that stretched across thousands of miles without interruption.
The downpour brought about a wave of destruction, wiping out a third of all marine species. On land, countless plant and animal species faced extinction as well. Yet, the study also revealed that the CPE helped shape the world we know today. It transformed the environment so drastically that new species emerged, including the first coral reefs, reptiles, trees, and the dinosaurs that would dominate the planet for the next 150 million years.
2. London’s Killer Fog Solved
London is known for its fog, but in December 1952, the fog turned deadly. The haze, which lingered for five days, led to the hospitalization of over 150,000 people.
For many years, the cause of the deadly fog remained a mystery. However, in 2016, researchers concluded they had gathered enough evidence to point to one of the initial suspects—burning coal. Studies revealed that the pollution from coal emissions triggered chemical reactions in the atmosphere, ultimately infusing the fog with sulphuric acid.
At the time, the death toll was estimated at 4,000. Tragically, the actual figure was much higher, closer to 12,000. The fog also claimed the lives of thousands of animals. This event remains the most catastrophic air pollution disaster in Europe's history.
1. The Tri-State Tornado
In 1925, a terrifying series of tornadoes struck the United States. Twelve powerful twisters appeared across a vast area, but one tornado stood out for its sheer destruction. Known as the 'Tri-State Tornado,' it ravaged three states, leaving behind the longest track ever recorded—235 miles (378 km).
The numbers were staggering. The tornado's width expanded to more than a mile (1.6 km), and it sped along at 70 miles per hour (113 km/h). It obliterated 164 square miles (425 square kilometers) of land and destroyed 15,000 homes. In today's terms, the damage totals around $1.4 billion.
The exact rating of the storm was never officially assigned, but most experts consider the Tri-State Tornado to be an EF-5, the highest and most catastrophic rating on the tornado scale. EF-5 tornadoes represent the ultimate in destruction, something one hopes to never witness. Regardless of its true classification, the Tri-State Tornado remains the deadliest in U.S. history, with a death toll of 695, including 69 students from the nine schools the tornado struck that day.
