The Great North American Megadrought

What is a megadrought and how does it differ from a regular drought?

• A megadrought is a short-term drought lasting a few months.

• A megadrought is a drought caused by human activities.

• A megadrought is a more severe drought that can last for decades.

• A megadrought is a drought that occurs only in tropical regions.

Which historical period experienced significant megadroughts in the Great Plains?

• The Enlightenment period

• The medieval period

• The Industrial Revolution

• The Renaissance period

What are the three main contributors to a drought?

• Soil moisture, atmospheric circulation patterns, and land and sea surface temperatures

• Volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and tsunamis

• Animal migration, plant growth, and soil erosion

• Deforestation, urbanization, and pollution

How might climate change influence future megadroughts in North America?

• By increasing rainfall and reducing drought severity

• By decreasing evaporation rates and cooling the region

• By increasing evaporation due to warmer temperatures

• By stabilizing atmospheric circulation patterns

What is greywater and how can it help mitigate water shortages?

• Greywater is highly contaminated water from toilets.

• Greywater is rainwater collected from rooftops.

• Greywater is wastewater from activities like showering, which can be reused.

• Greywater is water from underground aquifers.

What is a major drawback of desalination plants?

• They are inexpensive to build but inefficient.

• They have a high environmental footprint and are costly.

• They can only be used in freshwater regions.

• They produce more salt than freshwater.

What is one way to compensate for the environmental impact of desalination plants?

• Increasing the use of fossil fuels

• Funding efforts to restore wetlands

• Building more industrial factories

• Reducing the use of renewable energy