Blog Post Image: Evidence Suggests California’s Drought is the Worst in 1,200 Years

WHOI paleoclimatologist Kevin Anchukaitis collects a tree-ring sample from a 300-year old blue oak in California. Griffin and Anchukaitis found that while the current period of low precipitation is not unusual in California’s history, these rainfall deficits combined with sustained record high temperatures created the current multiyear severe water shortages. “While it is precipitation that sets the rhythm of California drought, temperature weighs in on the pitch,” says Anchukaitis. (Photo by Dan Griffin)