Natural hazards Drought in Australia The nature of drought in Australia A drought is a prolonged dry period in which there is not enough water for the standard needs of users. Australia is the driest continent. The main explanation is that our country is located in a region with high atmospheric pressure and an inconsistent precipitation rate. During a drought, streams and rivers dry up as plants and animals die. This is because they lack water and tend to have less food to eat. Droughts in Australia tend to occur in areas away from the coast, but every state or territory is still prone to drought. South Australia is the driest state in Australia and is vulnerable to frequent droughts. The Geographical Processes Involved The Geographical Processes Involved Causes El Nino El Nino is a major cause of drought. An El Nino changes the relationships between wind, ocean currents and atmospheric temperatures, causing global impacts on weather conditions. Throughout the Pacific there are areas affected by El Nino. it is a mass of warm water that is pushed towards Australia. This warm water brings heavy rainfall to northern Australia and some surrounding countries and islands. While on the other side of the ocean, South America is going through a period of drought. But when an El Nino event occurs, the ocean and winds reverse orientation. This brings drought and dry weather to Australia. Southern Oscillation The Southern Oscillation is the weather pattern between the Pacific and Asia that causes changes in rainfall in Australia. The Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) is used to calculate the alternation of atmospheric pressure between...... middle of paper......ole by distributing millions of dollars to the Australian Government's Envirofund. Additionally, the government helps farmers and rural communities sustain their income and employment. The state government establishes water restrictions so that water can be conserved. Local government provides jobs and public services to assist drought-affected communities. Farmers must reduce the amount of land they cultivate to save water. Additionally, farmers need to learn alternative farming techniques and systems that help them maintain their crops and livestock. However, due to the drought, many people are choosing to leave their farms and head to urban areas. This causes a decrease in the population in rural areas. Community Responsibilities Managing a drought is a shared responsibility of individuals, community groups and governments to overcome a drought.