What is a megadrought?
Quick Answer
A megadrought is an unusually severe drought that lasts for many years, often a decade or longer. It is not a volcanic event, but it can worsen wildfire and disaster risk.
The Full Story
Megadroughts are prolonged periods of very low rainfall and high water stress that can affect agriculture, reservoirs, forests, and ecosystems. They are studied using tree rings, lake sediments, and modern climate records. The southwestern United States has experienced past megadroughts, including some in the Medieval Climate Anomaly, and recent droughts have raised concern about long-term water shortages. Although not caused by volcanoes, megadrought conditions can intensify other natural disasters by drying vegetation and soils.
Key Facts
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"The disaster that arrives slowly but lasts for years"
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