Explain hydrological drought, and the causing factors.

Hydrogical drought, is the reduction of water in all elements of the hydrological cycle, which hopefully you have studied before. This reduction of water, means not only less water flowing through our rivers and stored in lakes, but also lowered levels of groundwater flow. This causes effects including reduced crop productivity in farms, and lowers levels of water for human consumption.

Hydrological drought is not only caused by physical factors, but also is the product of human influence. The main physical factor effecting hydroloigcal drought is climatic variability, higher temperatures (drying out the ground), and lowered levels of precipitation (less moisture fed into stores). The second physical factor is how good the river catchment is at storing and catching the water, if a catchment is particularly impermeable hydrological drought is more likely to occur. Human factors include moving water out of a catchment for use and secondly increased landuse, which means increased runoff and rapid evaporation.

Answered by Charlotte K. Geography tutor

16264 Views

See similar Geography A Level tutors

Related Geography A Level answers

All answers ▸

With reference to a river catchment that you have studied, assess the potential impact of human activity upon the drainage basin


Discuss sediment cells


How can a volcanic eruption be predicted?


How can coastal management strategies be harmful in other places along the coast?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2024

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences