What environmental disaster affected farmers in the Great Plains during the 1930s?

The Dust Bowl was a significant environmental disaster that severely impacted farmers in the Great Plains during the 1930s. This catastrophic event was primarily caused by a combination of prolonged drought and poor agricultural practices that left the soil vulnerable to erosion. As farmers plowed up natural grasses to plant crops, they disrupted the soil's structure, making it more susceptible to the wind. The result was massive dust storms that swept across the region, damaging crops, destroying farmland, and leading to the displacement of thousands of families.

The Dust Bowl not only caused economic hardship but also contributed to a migration crisis, as many agrarian families were forced to leave their homes in search of work and better conditions. This event had lasting implications for agricultural practices and environmental policies in the United States, emphasizing the need for sustainable farming techniques and soil conservation.

Other options, while they refer to significant weather or environmental events, do not capture the widespread agricultural devastation and social impact that defined the Dust Bowl.