The 2009 Australian dust storm swept across the eastern states of Australia from 22 to 24 September 2009. The capital, Canberra, experienced the storm on 22 September.[1][2] On 23 September the storm reached the east coast cities of Sydney and Brisbane.
The dust storm was described by the Bureau of Meteorology as a "pretty incredible event" that was the worst in the state of New South Wales in nearly 70 years.[3][4][5][6]
On 23 September 2009, the dust plume measured more than 500 kilometres (310 mi) in width and 1,000 kilometres (620 mi) in length and covered dozens of towns and cities in two states.[7] By 24 September 2009, analysis using MODIS at NASA measured the distance from the northern edge (at Cape York) and southern edge of the plume to be 3,450 km. [8]
Estimates suggest that during the peak of the storm, the Australian continent was losing 75,000 tonnes of dust per hour off the NSW coast north of Sydney.[9] While the cloud was visible from space, the intense colour and drop in temperature drew comparisons with nuclear winter, Armageddon and the planet Mars.[4][6][10] The dust storm coincided with other extreme weather conditions which affected the cities of Adelaide and Melbourne.
The phenomenon was reported around the world. The Weather Channel's Richard Whitaker said: "This is unprecedented. We are seeing earth, wind and fire together".
