The frequency of major flooding in coastal southeast Australia has significantly increased since the late 19th century
Article
Article Title | The frequency of major flooding in coastal southeast Australia has significantly increased since the late 19th century |
---|---|
ERA Journal ID | 1958 |
Article Category | Article |
Authors | Power, Scott B. (Author) and Callaghan, Jeff (Author) |
Journal Title | Journal of Southern Hemisphere Earth Systems Science |
Journal Citation | 66 (1), pp. 2-11 |
Number of Pages | 10 |
Year | 2016 |
Publisher | CSIRO Publishing |
Place of Publication | Australia |
ISSN | 1836-716X |
2206-5865 | |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.22499/3.6601.002 |
Web Address (URL) | https://www.publish.csiro.au/es/es16002 |
Abstract | Millions of Australians live in a 1500 km stretch of coastal catchments in south-east Australia. Major flooding in this region causes death, economic loss and major disruptions to the lives of its inhabitants. Concerns have been raised that anthropogenic climate change might lead, or has already led, to an increased risk of extreme rainfall and associated flooding. Images of flooding commonly appear in the media, fuelling perceptions that flood frequency has already increased. Here we use a new dataset that allows us to estimate reliable trends over much longer periods than has previously been the case. The statistical significance of the trends is assessed using a method that is suitable for the non-Gaussian, serially correlated flood frequency data. We identify a statistically significant, increasing trend in the frequency of major floods since the late 19th century, which contributes to a 50% increase in frequency. While possible reasons for the increase are discussed (e.g. land use change, anthropogenic climate change, natural climate variability), further research is needed to clarify the relative importance of possible contributors. |
Keywords | natural hazards; anthropogenic effect; climate change; coastal zone; extreme event; flooding; nineteenth century; perception; rainfall |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 370201. Climate change processes |
Public Notes | Copyright © 2017 Commonwealth of Australia, Bureau of Meteorology. Bureau of Meteorology. |
Byline Affiliations | Australian Bureau of Meteorology |
Institution of Origin | University of Southern Queensland |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q66y0/the-frequency-of-major-flooding-in-coastal-southeast-australia-has-significantly-increased-since-the-late-19th-century
103
total views3
total downloads0
views this month0
downloads this month