Short and long term variations - WATER CYCLE

Question 1

What is a deficit?

Answer 1

• Not enough water which leads to droughts

Question 2

What is a drought?

Answer 2

• Is an extended period of dry weather leading to extreme dryness
• This results in a shortfall of water supply which has hydrological and agricultural impacts
• different from most order hazards as it develops slowly as a creeping hazard
• Aridity and desertification are associated with drought but are not the same

Question 3

What the 4 types of droughts?

Answer 3

1. Agricultural - moisture not sufficient to support crop production ( Ukraine)
2. Meteorological - Prolonged period and below average precipitation (Austria, SE of England, California in USA, Africa)
3. Hydrological - Water reserves in aquifers, lakes and reservoirs below established statistical average (Mexico City,Lake Mead, India takes from aquifers from illegally)
   4.Socio economic- demand for economic goods exceeds supply so shortfall in water supply) ( India, Middle East)

Question 4

What are the 5 Countries with the highest drought risks?

Answer 4

1. Moldova - Increased temps and decreased precipitations
2. Ukraine - Climate change, at risk of hydro meteorological hazards and natural disputes
3. Bangladesh - pre monsoon showers delay rainy season
4. India- Monsoon has become unpredictable/ extreme rainfall brining droughts/ overpopulation
5. Serbia- extreme events have caused agricultural damage causing it to be vulnerable, dry condition, extreme events.

Question 5

How do variations in rainfall patterns cause flooding?

Answer 5

• The UK is associated with prolonged and heavy rainfall during autumn and winter.
• South east Asia is usually in monsoon rains between July - sept
• Glacial outbursts flooding -jokalhup in tagia and tundra locations such as Scandinavia
• Storm surges
• Fluvial convergences or after periods of heavy rainfall - have higher discharge
• ITCZ, options of the un in relations to the tropics