Question

How can drought be triggered by physical conditions
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Answer 1

Drought can be triggered by physical conditions such as lack of rainfall, high temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds. When an area experiences a prolonged period of these conditions, it can lead to a decrease in soil moisture, reduced surface water levels, and lower groundwater levels. These factors can cause vegetation to dry up, crop yields to decrease, and water supplies to become scarce, leading to drought conditions.

Answer 2

Drought can be triggered by several physical conditions. One of the major causes of drought is low levels of precipitation. Temperature variability also plays a significant role in triggering droughts. When temperatures rise, moisture evaporates more quickly from soil and plants, increasing the amount of water that is lost through evapotranspiration. This results in drier soils and lower streamflow, which can lead to reduced water availability for crops, wildlife, and human consumption .

Wind direction can also influence rainfall patterns and trigger drought events. When winds blow over a mountain range, they create a rain shadow effect, where one side of the mountain receives ample precipitation while the other side remains dry.

Other physical factors like soil moisture content, vegetation cover, topography, and land use practices all have their part to play in triggering drought events.