Nature's Fury: 10 Unique Landscapes Sculpted by Tornadoes

7. The Tornado-Carved Badlands

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Tornadoes have permanently changed the already spectacular terrain of the tough South Dakota Badlands. Although water and wind erosion over millions of years shapes the Badlands mostly, sporadic tornadoes have hastened this process in certain regions. The end effect is a sequence of wonderfully formed buttes and spires that stand out even in this alien-like setting. Unlike their wind-eroded predecessors, these tornado-carved forms can have smoother surfaces and more rounded edges. Several places where tornado activity has produced unusual erosion patterns—including spiral-like grooves in cliff faces and excessively deep gullies—have been noted by geologists. These tornado-sculpted areas of the Badlands provide a remarkable window into how severe storms could interact with and change even the most robust environments. Tornadoes' unique erosion patterns have revealed previously buried rock layers that provide scientists fresh chances to examine the geological past of the region. Fossils and mineral deposits unearthed by these exposed layers provide clues about past climates and habitats. Our knowledge of weathering processes is further enhanced by the demonstration of the varying rates of erosion of different rock types under strong wind conditions by the tornado-carved sections. Researchers of the Tornado-Carved Badlands have noted unusual plant populations that have evolved to fit the particular environment these catastrophic erosion episodes provide. Often collecting water and silt, the recently created gullies and depressions create microhabitats supporting species not usually found in the arid Badlands environment. These tornado-altered habitats, according to wildlife biologists, offer small animal cover and critical nesting locations for several bird species. The Tornado-Carved Badlands provide a natural laboratory for researching the long-term impacts of severe weather events on desert environments, therefore providing insightful information as we negotiate a future of perhaps more frequent and strong storms brought on by climate change.