Holocene river floods and flows: a planetary perspective

A special lecture will be held in association with the Term I thematic research seminar series which is looking at 'Human Planetary Transformations'. 

Abstract

A global meta-analysis of Holocene river deposition is used to define flood/flow-rich and flood/flow-poor phases. This reveals both when deposition occurred on a centennial scale, and where this has been identified on a sub-continental basis. Eleven flood-rich and nine flood-poor phases are distinguishable. Some phases are coincident across several hydroclimate regions, one or more are anti-phase between regional pairings, and others appear only uniquely recorded. River activity is significant for the interpretation of early civilizations both in terms of flood damage as well as for drier periods affecting agricultural production. The centuries centred on 3000, 2000, 1000 BCE and 1300 CE are identified as prominent in both the Old and New World as phases of major hydrological change that shaped and disrupted river-based societies. Our study suggests that future changes in river floods and flows are likely to be spatially variable, governed by hemispheric contrasts in monsoon strength and the operation of major regional hydroclimate drivers. 

The seminars on 'Human Planetary Transformations' will highlight research related to environmental transformations and sustainability; early human archaeology and evolution; domestication of animals and plants, human demography and migration. 

Join Dr Mark Macklin for his lecture at 6pm on 13 November which follows the thematic seminar at 4pm entitled Who's transforming who? Nomads and metals at the dawn of the Silk Roads trade, to be given by Miljana Radivojevic (UCL).

Any enquiries about this event may be directed to Manuel Arroyo-Kalin.