The U.S. is plagued by the worst drought in more than a thousand years, according to a new study

The southwestern parts of North America have been plagued by severe drought in the 21st century. Now a new study estimates that the drought period is the worst in 1,200 years.

– It is now known that it has also been dry for a thousand years.

According to researchers, man-made global warming is a major reason for the severity of the drought of the 21st century.

Researchers used the annual rings of the trees to determine the conditions of previous centuries. The thickness of the annual rings tells you about the growth rate of the wood and how much moisture has been available in the soil.

The study area extends from the US state of Montana to northern Mexico, the Pacific coast to the west, and the Rockies to the east.

The study shows that there have been several long periods of drought in the area over 1,200 years, of which the term megrought is known in English.

The previous “mega-drought” was experienced by researchers in the late 16th century.

Although there have been periods of drought long before industrialization and greenhouse gas emissions, climate change is increasing and intensifying them, scientists say.

Because the drought has been so severe, it will likely take several consecutive rainy years to alleviate it. A single rainy year is not enough.

Some of the previous droughts observed by researchers have also lasted for three decades. However, researchers say development is now accelerating.

Climate researcher at Columbia University involved in the study Jason Smerdon describes the situation as a “slow-moving disaster.”

“There will be more decades of droughts by the end of the century,” Smerdon says.

In addition to the United States, worsening and more frequent droughts are plaguing many other parts of the world.

At least 20 million people are in immediate need of emergency relief, the U.S. Development Agency USAID estimates.

You can discuss the topic until Thursday 17.2. until 11 p.m.