Drought frequency in central California since 101 B.C. recordered in giant sequoia tree rings

Journal Article · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1992 · Climate Dynamics

OSTI ID:181935

Hughes, M K; Brown, P M ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Arizona, Tucson, AZ (United States)

Well replicated tree-ring width index chronologies have been developed for giant sequoia at three sites in the Sierra Nevada, California. Extreme low-growth events in these chronologies correspond with regional drought events in the twentieth century in the San Joaquin drainage, in which the giant sequoia sites are located. This relationship is based upon comparison of tree-ring indices with August Palmer Drought Severity Indices for California Climate Division 5. Ring-width indices in the lowest decile from each site were compared. The frequency of low-growth events which occurred at all three sites in the same year is reconstructed from 101 B.C. to A.D. 1988. The inferred frequency of severe drought events changes through time, sometimes suddenly. The period from roughly 1850 to 1950 had one of the lowest frequencies of drought of any one hundred year period in the 2089 year record. The twentieth century so far has had a below-average frequency of extreme droughts. 26 refs., 6 figs., 1 tab.

• OSTI ID: 181935
• Journal Information: Climate Dynamics, Journal Name: Climate Dynamics Journal Issue: 3-4 Vol. 6; ISSN 0930-7575; ISSN CLDYEM
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ANNUAL VARIATIONS
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
CALIFORNIA
CLIMATIC CHANGE
DROUGHTS
TREE RINGS