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Global distribution, trends, and drivers of flash drought occurrence

Author

Listed:
  • Jordan I. Christian

    (University of Oklahoma)

  • Jeffrey B. Basara

    (University of Oklahoma
    University of Oklahoma)

  • Eric D. Hunt

    (Atmospheric and Environmental Research, Inc.)

  • Jason A. Otkin

    (University of Wisconsin-Madison)

  • Jason C. Furtado

    (University of Oklahoma)

  • Vimal Mishra

    (Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)
    Earth Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT))

  • Xiangming Xiao

    (University of Oklahoma)

  • Robb M. Randall

    (CCDC Army Research Laboratory, White Sands Missile Range)

Abstract

Flash drought is characterized by a period of rapid drought intensification with impacts on agriculture, water resources, ecosystems, and the human environment. Addressing these challenges requires a fundamental understanding of flash drought occurrence. This study identifies global hotspots for flash drought from 1980–2015 via anomalies in evaporative stress and the standardized evaporative stress ratio. Flash drought hotspots exist over Brazil, the Sahel, the Great Rift Valley, and India, with notable local hotspots over the central United States, southwestern Russia, and northeastern China. Six of the fifteen study regions experienced a statistically significant increase in flash drought during 1980–2015. In contrast, three study regions witnessed a significant decline in flash drought frequency. Finally, the results illustrate that multiple pathways of research are needed to further our understanding of the regional drivers of flash drought and the complex interactions between flash drought and socioeconomic impacts.

Suggested Citation

  • Jordan I. Christian & Jeffrey B. Basara & Eric D. Hunt & Jason A. Otkin & Jason C. Furtado & Vimal Mishra & Xiangming Xiao & Robb M. Randall, 2021. "Global distribution, trends, and drivers of flash drought occurrence," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:12:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-021-26692-z
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26692-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Ayşegül Kuzucu & Gülay Onuşluel Gül, 2023. "Analysis of Drought Dynamics over Annual Maximum Drought Severity Series Based on Daily Index Definitions," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 37(3), pages 1421-1436, February.

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