What natural disaster is known for causing severe dust storms in the Southern Plains of the United States during the 1930s?

The Dust Bowl is recognized as the natural disaster that led to severe dust storms in the Southern Plains of the United States during the 1930s. This phenomenon was the result of a combination of extreme drought conditions and unsustainable agricultural practices that stripped the land of its natural vegetation. As farmers plowed up native grasses to plant crops, the soil that had once held moisture and prevented erosion became loose and dry, making it vulnerable to wind erosion.

The Dust Bowl caused massive dust storms that swept through states like Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, and Colorado, resulting in significant challenges for agriculture and prompting many families to abandon their farms. The ecological and economic impacts of the Dust Bowl played a crucial role in shaping policies related to soil conservation and sustainable farming practices in the following decades.