Latest news with #naturalphenomenon
The Sun
13-07-2025
- Climate
- The Sun
Shocking moment ‘mini tornado' spins through field picking up loose grass as young lad watches on in amazement
A FAMILY was blown away when they spotted a mini tornado spinning through the countryside. Matt McMillan, 41, was out for a walk to a stream near Llanfrynach in Powys with his daughter and twin boys when they came across the amazing natural phenomenon. 7 7 7 7 Footage shows the spiral of wind picking up loose cut grass and spinning it around in the air. Matt can be heard saying to his son: 'Are you going to have a look at it Huw.' Huw, 7, replies: 'Is it going to lift me off the ground?' And Matt says: 'I don't think it will lift you off the ground but you can go and try.' The lad then approaches as the whirlwind passes across the field towards some woodland. Matt who lives near Brecon, south Wales, told The Sun: 'We headed out to our local stream today for a little paddle and swim in the warm weather. 'My daughter saw some grass flying around in a nearby field and asked what it was. I grabbed my phone and ran to the field, along with one of my twin boys, Huw. 'I couldn't believe what I was seeing, it looked like something out of a film. 'There was a tornado lifting the dry grass off the ground into a swirling vortex. 'We watched the tornado travel slowly across the field, it is a lot quieter and more serene than the scenes you see in a movie. 'As the tornado approached the edge of the field it dissipated and we left to go swimming in the stream. It was a magical moment that was truly once in a lifetime.' 7 7 7 What is a Tonardo The Met Office says: "A tornado is a rapidly rotating column of air that reaches between the base of a storm cloud and the Earth's surface. They form in very unsettled weather conditions as part of severe thunderstorms. Many conditions need to be present for a tornado to form but, when these conditions are met, a violently whirling mass of air, known as a vortex, forms beneath the storm cloud. "A funnel cloud usually develops as the vortex forms due to the reduced pressure in the vortex. Strong inflowing winds intensify, and the spin rate increases as the vortex stretches vertically. If it continues stretching and intensifying for long enough the vortex touches the ground, at which point it becomes classified as a tornado. The tornado then moves across the surface causing severe damage or destruction to objects in its path."
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Photographer captures extraordinary surf event off Aussie coast: 'Pretty amazing'
A veteran drone photographer has captured an extraordinary natural phenomenon off the nation's east coast, stunning thousands of Australians around the country with a spectacle described as "truly amazing". Queensland man Doug was filming off the coast of Caloundra, on the Sunshine Coast, just before lunch on Wednesday when he came across the spectacular sight — tens of thousands of mullet swarming to form a massive underwater bait ball. In an interview with Yahoo News, Doug explained he's lucky enough to witness the event annually, but despite its yearly occurrence he still feels fortunate to be able to catch a glimpse each time. "It's pretty amazing, actually," he said. "I live here on the coast, and I've been doing drone footage since 2007. People love seeing it — it's a natural spectacle we're lucky to see so close to shore." While the sight's undoubtedly impressive to view, it's actually fairly normal fish behaviour. Used as a defence against attacks, fish like mullet typically swarm together in tight, swirling formations when threatened by a predator, like a dolphin, shark, or large fish, beneath or nearby. "They bunch up tight for protection — safety in numbers," Doug of Bluey's Photography said. "When something rushes at them, you'll see a real burst of white water on top of them. Could be a big snapper, could be a shark." From above, bait balls look like moving shadows, shifting spirals, or pulsing galaxies in the water. Drones have made it possible to see this beauty from a new perspective, turning marine biology into an art form. "When the fish get disturbed, they panic, flutter and surge — something's lunged up from beneath. I watched for over an hour with a fisherman, [wondering] "What is it? What's chasing them?" — but we couldn't see anything. I've seen sharks and dolphins do it before, but this time it must've stayed deep," Doug said. "They'll break away from the ball, form a long line, then regroup into another ball — all to stay away from predators." Aussie's 'dream-like' moment during rare ocean encounter Aussies flock to coastline to witness incredibly rare moment Pilot captures extraordinary scene during record-breaking event Each year, around this time, generations of the same mullet fishing families gather on the beaches near Caloundra, anticipating the mullet run. Because fishing is prohibited within the Pumicestone Passage — a marine park where mullet spawn — the fishermen rely on lookouts with radios to monitor the fish as they migrate up from Moreton Bay. Once conditions are right — typically when calm seas and westerly winds prevail — the mullet exit the passage and swim close to shore, offering a narrow window for the fishermen to cast their nets, and for Doug to capture his footage. "They use the roe from the females for export, and then send the rest to bait shops, the cannery, or for pet food," he said. In places like southeast Queensland, bait balls are a predictable but short-lived event, tied to water temperature, spawning cycles, and wind conditions. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Yahoo
Rush to see rare Aussie phenomenon sparks major safety warning
Tourists and travellers hoping to catch a glimpse of an incredible natural phenomenon sweeping across massive parts of the country's south have been warned that any trip to spectate "requires careful planning and preparation". South Australia's Department of Environment reported last week that 600 to 1000 gigalitres of water are flowing into Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre in South Australia from western Queensland, after a 2,000 kilometre band of rain swept across the country in March. The deluge saw parts of the Queensland outback go underwater, with residents cut off for weeks. Now the water is spilling into Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre, which has only filled to capacity three times in the past 160 years. The full inundation is expected to breathe life back into the salt lake's crust, its wildlife, and the surrounding vegetation. As floodwaters arrive, they trigger a remarkable transformation — rare and dormant species burst into life, and others are drawn to the lake in spectacular numbers. Speaking to Yahoo News on Friday, an SA National Parks and Wildlife Service spokesperson said the best way to see Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre "and the hundreds of species of birdlife that it attracts", is from the air. "But visitors can witness the spectacle of the lake from dedicated viewing points within Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre National Park," they said. "The new management plan for the park, which was introduced in February this year, restricts recreational access to the lakebed, including visitors entering the lakebed on foot. All other recreational activities, including swimming, driving, boating and landing aircraft, are already restricted under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972." Sitting 15 metres below sea level, Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre is Australia's lowest point and spans an immense 9,500 square kilometres. It is co-managed by the South Australian government and the Indigenous Arabana people, whose deep cultural ties to the region help guide its protection. With the return of water, brine shrimp hatch from long-dormant eggs in the soil, providing food for fish swept in by the floods. Meanwhile, millions of waterbirds, including breeding species that migrate from as far as China and Japan, flock to the lake to feed, nest, and raise their young. Viewing the rare event can be done from setting up your base at Halligan Bay Point Campground, which sits along the lake's edge. More than 10 hours' drive north of Adelaide, the site is 4WD access only. The site is flat and exposed, offering only basic amenities such as toilets and picnic shelters. For those seeking an alternative, camping is also available at Muloorina Bore, located north of Marree. Incredible photo captures 'extremely rare' phenomenon Aussie euphoric after remarkable find off jetty: 'Like nothing I've seen' Incredible image reveals little-known reality in northern Australia National Parks and Wildlife Service District Ranger Travis Gotch said visiting Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre is a "unique experience", but it also requires caution, especially when camping at the remote location. "Know where you're staying, drive to the conditions and make sure that you have enough food, water and resources to fully enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime trip," Gotch said. "Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre is a special place. It deserves to be seen, but also to be preserved. Visitors can help by staying on marked tracks, taking all litter home and respecting the cultural significance of the lake and surrounds. "Water will start to find its way into the north lake in early May, and there will be varying water levels for up to six months. The best times to visit would be between May and October." Amy Barham from tour operator Outback Spirit told Yahoo News the water levels are expected to swell higher than in 1974, which was a huge flood year for Lake Eyre. "Lake Eyre flooding, historically, is usually every three to four years," Barham had earlier said. "This year is set to have the most substantial water fill we've seen in the last 15 years." For the Arabana people, the lake is considered to be "sacred" and "dangerous to visit without the guidance of cultural authority". Swimming, driving off designated tracks, and boating were already prohibited when a fresh set of recreational bans came into force earlier this year, preventing visitors from walking on the lake bed. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
