"Thunderstorm microburst(Left) The air that forms the microburst is initially ""dammed"" aloft by the strength of the storm's updraft then cascades downward in a high-velocity, narrow column (less than 4 km, or 2.5 miles, in diameter). (Right, inset) Microbursts are very dangerous to aircraft and can create great damage on the ground. In the absence of observers, microburst damage can often be distinguished from that of a tornado by the presence of a ""starburst"" pattern of destruction radiating from a central point."
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