| Abstract: | Tree-ring records spanning the past seven centuries from the central and southern Rocky Mountains were studied using wavelet analysis to examine multidecadal (>30-70 yr) patterns of drought variation. Fifteen tree-ring series were grouped into five regional composite chronologies based on shared low-frequency behavior. Strong multidecadal phasing of moisture variation was present in all regions during the late 16th century megadrought. Oscillatory modes in the 30-70 yr domain persisted until the mid-19th century in two regions, and wet-dry cycles were apparently synchronous at some sites until the 1950s drought. The 16th/17th century pattern of severe multidecadal drought followed by decades of wet conditions resembles the 1950s drought and post-1976 wet period. The 16th century megadrought, which may have resulted from coupling of a decadal (???20-30 yr) Pacific cool phase with a multidecadal warm phase in the North Atlantic, marked a substantial reorganization of climate in the Rocky Mountain region. |
| Genre: | Article |
| ProdID: | 70026269 |
| Citation Author: | Gray, S. J.; Betancourt, J. L.; Fastie, C. L.; Jackson, S. T. |
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| Citation End Page: | 1 |
| Citation Issue: | 6 |
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| Citation Language: | English |
| Citation Larger Work Title: | Geophysical Research Letters |
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| Citation Number Of Pages: | -47 |
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| Citation Search Results Text: | Patterns and sources of multidecadal oscillations in drought-sensitive tree-ring records from the central and southern Rocky Mountains; 2003; Article; Journal; Geophysical Research Letters; Gray, S. J.; Betancourt, J. L.; Fastie, C. L.; Jackson, S. T. |
| Citation Start Page: | 49 |
| Citation Volume: | 30 |
| Citation Year: | 2003 |
| Type: | citation/reference |
| Text: | Patterns and sources of multidecadal oscillations in drought-sensitive tree-ring records from the central and southern Rocky Mountains; 2003; Article; Journal; Geophysical Research Letters; Gray, S. J.; Betancourt, J. L.; Fastie, C. L.; Jackson, S. T. |
| URL (THUMBNAIL): | http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/thumbnails/outside_thumb.jpg |
| Date Other: | Wed, 1 Jan 2003 00:00 -0600 |
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