Learn about the most devastating droughts in history and their effects on humans and the environment.
What is the impact of droughts on rivers and lakes?
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Droughts can lower water levels and reduce aquatic habitats and fish populations.
What is the name of the drought that affected Thailand in 2016?
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The Thai Drought
What is the definition of a drought?
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A prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall, leading to a shortage of water.
Which African country experienced a severe drought in 2017 that left millions of people without access to clean water?
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Somalia
Which type of vegetation is most resistant to drought?
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Xerophytic plants
What is the name of the drought that affected the Caribbean in 2015?
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The Caribbean Drought
What is the term for the study of the causes, distribution, and environmental impacts of drought?
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Drought climatology
What is the term for a severe and sustained shortage of safe drinking water due to drought?
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Water scarcity
What is the primary factor influencing the duration of a drought?
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Persistence of weather patterns
What is the process by which moisture is carried through plants from roots to small pores on the underside of leaves, where it changes to vapor and is released to the atmosphere?
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Transpiration
What is the main cause of droughts?
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Lack of rainfall
What is the primary method used to monitor drought conditions worldwide?
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Satellite remote sensing
What is the name of the drought-resistant plant that is commonly used for animal feed?
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Fodder beet
What is the name of the drought that affected the Western United States between 2012 and 2016?
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The California Drought
What is the impact of droughts on forests?
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Droughts can increase the risk of forest fires and insect infestations, and reduce tree growth and carbon sequestration.
What is the name of the drought that affected Indonesia in 2015?
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The Indonesian Drought
Which region of the United States is most prone to drought?
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Southwest
Which African river basin experienced a multi-year drought in the 1970s and 1980s?
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Lake Chad Basin
What is the primary driver of drought in the Mediterranean region?
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High pressure systems
What is the term for a long-term change in the Earth's climate, including an increase in the frequency and intensity of droughts?
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Climate change
Which continent is most affected by droughts?
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Africa
Which international organization monitors global drought conditions and provides early warning information?
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World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
What is the main impact of drought on aquatic ecosystems?
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Reduced streamflow and water levels
What is the primary strategy for managing drought risk in agriculture?
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Diversification of crops and irrigation methods
What is the name of the phenomenon that causes droughts in Southern Africa?
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El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO)
What is the impact of droughts on air quality?
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Droughts can worsen air quality by increasing dust and particulate matter from dry soil and vegetation.
What is the impact of droughts on international relations?
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Droughts can lead to conflicts over transboundary water resources and migration due to environmental and economic pressures.
What is the name of the region in Australia that has been experiencing a severe drought since 2017?
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New South Wales
What is the impact of droughts on water resources?
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Droughts can lead to water scarcity, reduced water quality, and conflicts over water allocation.
What is the impact of droughts on transportation?
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Droughts can damage roads and bridges due to soil subsidence and increased traffic volume from water trucks.
Which plant adaptation helps them survive in drought-prone areas?
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Deep root systems
What percentage of California was affected by drought in 2014?
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100%
What is the impact of droughts on wildfire risk?
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Droughts can increase the risk of wildfires due to dry vegetation and high temperatures.
What is the impact of droughts on mental health?
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Droughts can increase stress, anxiety, and depression due to financial and emotional hardships.
What is the name of the drought that affected the United Kingdom in 1976?
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The 1976 UK Drought
What is the primary cause of drought?
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Lack of precipitation
Which type of drought occurs when there is not enough water available for agricultural purposes?
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Agricultural drought
Which technology is commonly used to forecast drought conditions?
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Numerical weather prediction models
Which country experienced the 'Big Dry' drought from 1995 to 2009?
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Australia
Which continent has the highest percentage of land area affected by drought?
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Africa
What is the impact of droughts on spirituality?
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Droughts can challenge spiritual beliefs and values related to nature, justice, and compassion.
What is a drought?
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A prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall, leading to a shortage of water.
What is the name of the scale used to measure the severity of drought?
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Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI)
What is the impact of droughts on urban areas?
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Droughts can lead to water restrictions, higher water bills, and reduced green spaces.
What is the name of the drought that affected Iran between 1999 and 2001?
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The Iranian Drought
What is the impact of droughts on education?
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Droughts can disrupt school attendance and performance due to water shortages and family migration.
What is the impact of droughts on energy production?
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Droughts can reduce hydropower generation and increase the risk of wildfires near power plants.
Which ocean current is responsible for causing drought conditions in eastern Australia?
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El Niño
What is the term for a large-scale pattern of atmospheric circulation that influences the distribution of droughts worldwide?
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Teleconnection
What is the name of the drought that affected Canada in 2001?
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The Canadian Drought
What weather phenomenon can lead to drought in Southeast Asia?
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Indian Ocean Dipole
What is the impact of droughts on recreation?
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Droughts can reduce recreational opportunities such as swimming, boating, and fishing due to low water levels.
What is the name of the Australian town that ran out of water in 2019 due to drought?
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Day Zero
What is the name of the drought that affected Turkey in 2007?
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The Turkish Drought
What is the name of the drought that affected Russia in 2010?
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The Russian Heat Wave
What is the impact of droughts on wildlife?
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Droughts can lead to habitat loss, food scarcity, and increased mortality rates.
What term refers to a prolonged period of below-average precipitation?
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Drought
Which country faced the Great Chinese Famine due to drought and other factors?
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China
What is the name of the drought that affected Egypt between 1972 and 1973?
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The Egyptian Drought
What is the impact of droughts on technology?
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Droughts can reduce access to electricity and internet connectivity due to power outages and infrastructure damage.
What is a megadrought?
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A severe and prolonged drought lasting for decades or even centuries.
What is the impact of droughts on deserts?
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Droughts can exacerbate desertification and reduce the availability of water for human and animal populations.
What is the impact of droughts on politics?
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Droughts can influence political agendas and policies related to water management, climate change, and disaster response.
In which decade did the United States experience the Dust Bowl?
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1930s
What is the name of the drought that affected the Amazon Rainforest in 2005?
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The Amazon Drought
What is the difference between a seasonal drought and a flash drought?
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A seasonal drought develops slowly over time, while a flash drought occurs suddenly and unexpectedly.
What is the name of the phenomenon that causes droughts in the Pacific Ocean region?
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El Niño
Which US state has been experiencing a drought since 1999?
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Arizona
Which type of cloud formation is associated with drought-breaking rains?
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Cumulonimbus clouds
What is the name of the drought that affected Syria between 2006 and 2011?
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The Syrian Drought
Which type of drought results from the combined effects of meteorological, agricultural, and hydrological drought?
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Socioeconomic drought
What is the impact of droughts on wetlands?
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Droughts can dry up wetlands and reduce biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Which natural resource is most directly affected by drought?
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Freshwater
Which type of drought is characterized by a decrease in surface and subsurface water supplies?
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Hydrological drought
What is the impact of droughts on agriculture?
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Droughts can lead to crop failure, livestock death, and reduced food production.
Which region of Africa experienced a severe drought from 1968 to 1972?
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Sahel
What is the impact of droughts on human health?
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Droughts can lead to dehydration, malnutrition, and disease outbreaks.
What is the most extended drought in recorded history?
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The Atacama Desert Drought
What is the name of the drought that affected China between 1958 and 1961?
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The Great Chinese Famine
What is the difference between a hydrological drought and a socioeconomic drought?
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A hydrological drought is based on water supply, while a socioeconomic drought considers the impact of the water shortage on people and their livelihoods.
Which state in the United States is currently experiencing a severe drought?
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California
Which type of drought is defined as a period of at least three months with less than 75% of normal precipitation?
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Meteorological drought
What is the impact of droughts on indigenous communities?
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Droughts can threaten traditional livelihoods and cultural practices, and increase social and economic vulnerability.
Which country experienced a devastating drought in 1983 that led to widespread famine?
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Ethiopia
Which US state experienced a significant drought from 2011 to 2017?
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California
What is the impact of droughts on the economy?
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Droughts can lead to economic losses due to reduced agricultural production, increased food prices, and decreased tourism.
What is the name of the drought that affected Zimbabwe between 1991 and 1992?
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The Zimbabwean Drought
What is the impact of droughts on groundwater?
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Droughts can deplete groundwater reserves and increase the risk of land subsidence and saltwater intrusion.
What is the name of the drought that affected Argentina between 2008 and 2009?
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The Argentine Drought
What is the name of the drought that affected France in 1976?
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The French Drought
What is the name of the drought that affected Mexico in 2011?
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The Mexican Drought
What is the name of the drought that affected Brazil in 2014?
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The Brazilian Drought
What is the name of the drought that affected Ethiopia between 1983 and 1985?
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The Ethiopian Famine
What is the name of the drought that affected the Great Plains of the United States during the 1930s?
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Dust Bowl
What is the name of the drought that affected Central America in 2014?
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The Central American Drought
Which country experienced its worst drought in over a century in 2019?
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India
What is the name of the drought that affected Ukraine in 2012?
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The Ukrainian Drought
What is the name of the drought that affected Spain between 1947 and 1949?
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The Spanish Drought
What is the difference between a meteorological drought and an agricultural drought?
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A meteorological drought is based on rainfall deficiency, while an agricultural drought considers the impact of the rainfall deficiency on crops and soil moisture.