How do sandstorms form?

Question

Just curious. I was seeing a sandstorm on t.v. but they never said how it is formed.

Answer 1

Generally, when you have strong winds and lots of dry sand, the winds kick the sand into the air.  After a while, enough of it is is present to form a full storm.  Eventually, when the wind weakens, the sand falls out, and the storm dissipates.

Answer 2

As the force of wind passing over loosely held particles increases, particles of sand first start to vibrate, then to saltate ("leap"). As they repeatedly strike the ground, they loosen smaller particles of dust which then begin to travel in suspension. At wind speeds above that which causes the smallest to suspend, there will be a population of dust grains moving by a range of mechanisms: suspension, saltation and creep.