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How does groundwater level influence the occurrence and frequency of heatwaves?
Publikationstyp
Conference Poster
Date Issued
2024-06
Sprache
English
Citation
3rd International Conference on Natural Hazards and Risks in a Changing World: 9 (2024)
Climate extremes (e.g., 2023 European heatwave) have severe consequences on built and natural environments, posing a threat to human wellbeing and economic resilience. A changing climate is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of climate hazards but also their impacts might intensify due to increasing exposure and vulnerability. Land atmosphere interactions have been identified as key drivers for heatwaves, relying significantly on groundwater
interactions through its effect on soil moisture, evaporation and thus surface heat fluxes (1, 2). Variation of rainfall patterns and the increase in water demands are expected to influence groundwater dynamics, soil moisture-air temperature feedback processes and subsequently the occurrence of preconditioned compound events, where climate-driven preconditions (rainfall-variability and increase of air temperature), worsen the effects of a hazard (heatwave). The current
understanding of groundwater as driver for heatwaves are often limited to regional studies or specific land covers, with few endeavors seeking to characterize global- scale trends and responses. We aim to globally investigate the relation between groundwater levels and heatwave events considering different land cover types and environmental variables by conducting a wide-ranging statistical analysis. We combine a variety of datasets, making use of an existing high resolution groundwater model, climate reanalysis data and remote sensing data. This allows us to distinguish potential drivers of
heatwave occurrence which contribute to the development of effective action plans to mitigate climate change's adverse effects.
interactions through its effect on soil moisture, evaporation and thus surface heat fluxes (1, 2). Variation of rainfall patterns and the increase in water demands are expected to influence groundwater dynamics, soil moisture-air temperature feedback processes and subsequently the occurrence of preconditioned compound events, where climate-driven preconditions (rainfall-variability and increase of air temperature), worsen the effects of a hazard (heatwave). The current
understanding of groundwater as driver for heatwaves are often limited to regional studies or specific land covers, with few endeavors seeking to characterize global- scale trends and responses. We aim to globally investigate the relation between groundwater levels and heatwave events considering different land cover types and environmental variables by conducting a wide-ranging statistical analysis. We combine a variety of datasets, making use of an existing high resolution groundwater model, climate reanalysis data and remote sensing data. This allows us to distinguish potential drivers of
heatwave occurrence which contribute to the development of effective action plans to mitigate climate change's adverse effects.
Subjects
heatwave
DDC Class
551: Geology, Hydrology Meteorology