The Science of California's Unprecedented Drought

Searching for California's missing moisture

By THIS IS A PREVIEW.or to access the full article.Already a subscriber or purchased this issue?

In 1860 a naturalist named William Brewer set out to conduct the first geologic survey of the infant state of California. When Brewer arrived in the tiny adobe village of Los Angeles on December 2, he noted in his diary that “all that is wanted naturally to make it a paradise is water, more water.” Three weeks later a raging torrent of water—the worst rainstorm in 11 years—destroyed many of the adobes. Such is weather in California.

The ancient record, etched in tree rings, shows patterns similar to those of today: long dry spells punctuated by fleeting wet years. In the year 1130, the rain tapered off and did not start again in earnest for another 40 years. Multidecade droughts show up in tree rings throughout California's history.

THIS IS A PREVIEW.or to access the full article.Already a subscriber or purchased this issue? Buy Digital Issue$5.99 Digital Issue + Subscription$39.99 You May Also Like

Scientific American Single Issue

Scientific American Single Issue

Mysteries of the Ancient Ones

Becoming Human