Tree rings reveal a devastating 23-year megadrought that began at Mesa Verde in 1276, contributing to the site's abandonment by 1299. Dendrochronology places the great drought in 1276–1299, with severely reduced precipitation. Construction evidence and tree-ring cutting dates also point to declining activity after the mid-1270s. Paleoclimate records from lake sediments indicate that the drought affected the Southwest or western half of North America. 🌲
23-year megadrought began at Mesa Verde in 1276
United StatesTheorySite mentioned
Key facts
- The tree-ring chronology places the great drought from 1276 to 1299.
- The 1140–1162 drought mentioned in the post is not identified by the cited results as the cause of Mesa Verde's abandonment.
- The cited paleoclimate evidence describes the drought as regional across the Southwest or western North America, not hemispheric.
- The provided search results do not substantiate the claim that maize requires 12–18 inches of rain per growing season.
Sources
How bad is the Western megadrought? Scientists look at tree rings ...kpbs.org
The new tree ring study shows how high temperatures have made the region's soil drier. Dry soil means less water in streams and rivers. When ...
Tree Rings Are Evidence of the Megadrought—and Our Doomsapiens.org
Scientists are using dendroclimatology to investigate megadroughts in the western U.S., and the trees are telling a disturbing tale.
How bad is the Western megadrought? Scientists look at tree rings ...sourcenm.com
The new tree ring study shows how high temperatures have made the region's soil drier. Dry soil means less water in streams and rivers. When ...
Tree rings tell tale of megadroughts - Science Newssciencenews.org
Tree rings in ancient timber show that the Colorado Plateau experienced a 60-year drought in the 12th century.
The A.D. 1130–1180 Megadrought in the Northern Southwestcrowcanyon.org
The single greatest megadrought recorded for North America occurred in the western half of the continent from AD 1140–1162.
Mesa Verde National Park (Notes)npshistory.com
The tree-ring chronology shows that a great drought commenced in 1276 A.D. and extended for a 23 year period to 1299 A.D.
Tree-ring reconstruction of Mesa Verde water-year ...researchgate.net
Extreme droughts between A.D. 795 and 809 led to decreased crop yields and marsh desiccation. We attribute the abrupt depopulation of Ridges Basin to declining ...
How Archaeologists Uncover History With Treessapiens.org
Douglass defined the “great drought,” a 24-year period of severe drought recorded in tree rings from 1275 to 1299—a span that included some of ...
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