An Australian pyro-tornadogenesis event

作者：McRae Richard H D^*; Sharples Jason J; Wilkes Stephen R; Walker Alan

来源：Natural Hazards, 2013, 65(3): 1801-1811.

DOI：10.1007/s11069-012-0443-7

• Pyro-tornadogenesis
• Pyro-cumulonimbus
• Tornado
• Wildfire

On 18 January 2003, fires had a devastating impact on Australia%26apos;s capital, Canberra. A series of reviews and scientific studies have examined the events of that day and indicate that the worst impacts were due to a series of violent pyro-convective events and resultant pyro-cumulonmibi. These coupled fire-atmosphere events are much more energetic than normal fires. In one instance, an intense pyro-convective cell developed a tornado. We demonstrate that this was indeed a tornado, the first confirmed pyro-tornadogenesis in Australia, and not a fire whirl. Here, we discuss aspects of the formation, evolution and decay of the tornado, which was estimated to have been of at least F2 intensity, highlighting a process that can significantly increase the damage of a wildfire event.

• 出版日期2013-2