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drought
Introduction References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics
Images & Videos
permanent drought Infographic showing a world map with locations of major ongoing and historical droughts, including California, the Dust Bowl, and the Ethiopian famine, plus visible signs, economic effects, and social impacts of drought.
New technology: Harvesting fresh water from fog
The Los Angeles River flows through a wide concrete channel with only small pools of water and exposed sandy bottom, surrounded by suburban homes and trees under a blue sky.
How scientists research drought-resistant crops
Study the alarming cause of water shortages in Germany
Global warming and its impact explained
What would happen if Earth's temperature rose by 2 °C?
At a Glance
Lake Mead is seen in the distance behind a dead creosote bush in an area of dry, cracked earth that used to be underwater near where the Lake Mead Marina was once located on June 12, 2021 in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada.
Comprehension Quiz: Water Scarcity
Quizzes
Lightning over a farm field. Weather electricity thunderstorm light energy tree
Facts You Should Know: Weather Quiz
Umbrella colored like a rainbow sticking out above a sea of black umbrellas while it rains. (storm, weather)
Weather Words Vocabulary Quiz
rain. Child in the rain, wearing a rain coat, under a yellow umbrella. April Showers weather climate rain storm water drops
April Showers to March’s Lions and Lambs

drought: References & Edit History

Article Contributors

Primary Contributors

  • The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
    Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.

Other Encyclopedia Britannica Contributors

Article History

Type Description Contributor Date
Invalidated site: U.S. Geological Survey - Droughts: Things to Know. Jan 16, 2026
Add new Web site: Khan Academy - Drought and Famine. Jun 13, 2024
Add new Web site: U.S. Geological Survey - Droughts: Things to Know. Apr 25, 2024
Add new Web site: United States Energy Information Administration - Climate Change Indicators: Drought. Feb 14, 2023
Add new Web site: Encyclopedia of the Great Plains - Drought. Sep 30, 2022
New media added. Jun 01, 2020
Mentioned the possibility of large-scale, unpredictable droughts. Jan 22, 2019
Add new Web site: UNICEF for every child - Drought disasters. Mar 27, 2018
Add new Web site: ThoughtCo. - Drought: Its Causes, Stages, and Problems. Jan 15, 2018
Add new Web site: Federal Emergency Management Agency - Drought. Oct 09, 2017
Add new Web site: National Center for Atmospheric Research - Drought. Sep 26, 2017
Add new Web site: National Drought Mitigation Center - Drought In-depth. Sep 20, 2016
Add new Web site: National Geographic - Drought. Aug 08, 2016
Infographic added that shows the locations of the major drought episodes of 2015–16 and throughout history. Jul 20, 2016
Add new Web site: LiveScience - What is a Drought? Feb 03, 2016
Add new Web site: Weather Wiz Kids - Drought. Feb 03, 2016
Add new Web site: Buzzle.com - Drought. Apr 02, 2013
Media added. Aug 14, 2008
Article added to new online database. Jul 20, 1998
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