Question
Explain two causes of drought. [4 marks]
Mark scheme (2 × explained cause):
- El Niño (warm ENSO phase) (K): disrupts normal rainfall patterns by displacing the ITCZ and altering atmospheric circulation — brings drought to southern Africa, Australia and Indonesia when it occurs (E).
- Anticyclonic blocking (K): persistent high-pressure systems deflect rain-bearing depressions around them, causing prolonged periods of dry weather — e.g. "Ridiculously Resilient Ridge" that caused the California 2012–17 drought (E).
- Accept: overextraction of groundwater, deforestation, climate change — with explanation.
4 marks · take your time before peeking.
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Generated by TopMyGrade AI · cross-check official sources before relying on the mark-scheme phrasing.