Long-term aridity changes in the western United States

Publication Status is "Submitted" Or "In Press: 
Yes
LDEO Publication: 
Yes
Publication Type: 
Journal Article
Year of Publication: 
2004
Authors: 
Cook, E. R.; Woodhouse, C. A.; Eakin, C. M.; Meko, D. M.; Stahle, D. W.
Editor: 
Journal Title: 
Science
Journal Date: 
Nov 5
Place Published: 
Tertiary Title: 
Volume: 
306
Issue: 
5698
Pages: 
1015-1018
Section / Start page: 
Publisher: 
ISBN Number: 
0036-8075
ISSN Number: 
Edition: 
Short Title: 
Accession Number: 
ISI:000225001100038
LDEO Publication Number: 
6681
Call Number: 
Key Words: 
tree-rings ;moisture regimes; fire history; drought; climate; USA; california; frequency; reconstruction; vegetation; pacific;
Abstract: 

The western United States is experiencing a severe multiyear drought that is unprecedented in some hydroclimatic records. Using gridded drought reconstructions that cover most of the western United States over the past 1200 years, we show that this drought pales in comparison to an earlier period of elevated aridity and epic drought in AD 900 to 1300, an interval broadly consistent with the Medieval Warm Period. If elevated aridity in the western United States is a natural response to climate warming, then any trend toward warmer temperatures in the future could lead to a serious long-term increase in aridity over western North America.

Notes: 

869RGTimes Cited:124Cited References Count:29

URL: 
<Go to ISI>://000225001100038
DOI: 
DOI 10.1126/science.1102586