Charcoal Whirlwinds and Post-Fire Observations in Serengeti National Park Savannahs

Whirlwinds and visible dust devils occur over semi-arid ecosystems entrain particles from the ground surface. Fires produce abundant charcoal across savannahs resulting blackened surfaces create a large albedo contrast. have been observed associated with active fires; yet, there are few published observations on post-fire landscapes. Spatiotemporal patterns of whirlwinds documented for limited number regions not made eastern Africa. From field-based sightings in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, we report burned savannah patches that entrained quantities to black coloured lofted into atmosphere. Two occurrences were sighted photographed, one each Western Corridor (Bunda District) Lamai (Serengeti District), Mara Region. The compared regional scale meteorological data remote sensing satellite imagery estimates land cover conditions. Although direct or particulate matter measurements made, show both differed colour, funnel shape, height, types (different woody grass fuel canopies), thus different morphologies. Charcoal laden require further study characterization analyse contribution local-scale redistribution regional-to-global fluxes terrestrially derived atmospheric particulates. Future research focusing spatiotemporal savannah, formation, duration dissipation mechanisms, characterisation material would contribute our understanding phenomena. organic clastic detrital depositional environments, such as lakes, wetlands, snow.
 Keywords: Atmospheric boundary layer; Convection; Detritus; Dust devils; Fires; Particulate matter.