Nature's Fury: 10 Unique Landscapes Sculpted by Tornadoes

9. The Tornado Gorge of Arkansas

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A small, meandering valley in the Arkansas Ozark Mountains is evidence of the earth-shaping force of tornadoes. Known locally as Tornado Gorge, this geological oddity was created when a particularly strong tornado followed the course of a tiny stream over several miles. The amazing suction and wind intensity of the twister expanded and deepened the stream bed, producing a gorge that seems far older than it actually is. Clear evidence of Tornado Gorge's peculiar source comes from the distinctive striations and patterns seen in its walls compared to those of water-eroded canyons. The gorge is a refuge for rare plant species today that flourish in its sheltered surroundings. Drawn to this area, hikers and naturalists wonder at how one weather event may so drastically alter the terrain. The local ecology has been dramatically changed by the creation of Tornado Gorge. The abrupt development of steep cliff walls has given many bird species—including some rare in the area—places to nest. The sheltering surroundings of the valley have also produced a microclimate that supports plant species usually found in more northern latitudes, therefore providing a special botanical study site. Geologists researching Tornado Gorge have acquired fresh understanding of how wind's erosive force interacts with various kinds of rocks. The complicated strata of the gorge exposes hitherto buried layers of the geological history of the Ozark Plateau. This has given important new insights on the past surroundings and climate variations spanning millions of years for the area. Since Tornado Gorge's development has fundamentally changed the local drainage patterns, hydrologists have also been interested in it. Changes in groundwater circulation and new spring systems along the gorge walls result from the deeper stream bed. These developments affect the way the nearby water resources are managed. Tornado Gorge is a unique natural laboratory that draws researchers from many disciplines all trying to grasp the intricate relationships between catastrophic weather occurrences and landscape evolution.