Which change in the water cycle is the most likely cause of a drought?
As average temperatures rise due to climate change, the Earth’s water cycle accelerates through an increased evaporation rate. As an increased evaporation rate makes more water available in the air for precipitation, it also contributes to drier land areas, leaving less moisture in the soil.
What triggers drought?
The Short Answer: A drought is caused by drier than normal conditions that can eventually lead to water supply problems. Really hot temperatures can make a drought worse by evaporating moisture from the soil. But droughts don’t just happen in hot and dry places.
How is the water cycle disrupted in a drought?
Moisture can travel very long distances before encountering such a forcing mechanism. In the case of a drought (water shortage), the large-scale atmospheric flow pattern is “locked” in place such that storm systems and their forcing mechanisms are absent over the drought region.
What happens to plants when there is a drought?
Some plants (such as grasses) will slow their growth or turn brown to conserve water. Trees can drop their leaves earlier in the season to prevent losing water through the leaf surface. However, if drought conditions persist, much vegetation will die. Certain plants have adapted so they can withstand long periods without water.
What happens to groundwater levels during a drought?
Groundwater levels first are dependent on recharge from infiltration of precipitation so when a drought hits the land surface it can impact the water levels below ground, too. Likewise, many aquifers, especially those which don’t have abundant recharge, are affected by the amount of water being pumped out of local wells.
How are droughts, floods, and water vapor related?
Droughts, Floods, and Water Vapor – Oh My! Understanding the earth’s water cycle can help us understand how a warming climate will intensify droughts and floods. A main contributor to the intensity of a drought or flooding event is how much water vapor can be held in the atmosphere.