Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/cpd-10-3877-2014
https://doi.org/10.5194/cpd-10-3877-2014
26 Sep 2014
 | 26 Sep 2014
Status: this preprint was under review for the journal CP but the revision was not accepted.

Climatic information of Western Sahel (1535–1793 AD) in original documentary sources

V. Millán and F. S. Rodrigo

Abstract. The Sahel is the semi-arid transition zone between arid Sahara and humid tropical Africa, extending approximately 10–20° N from Mauritania in the West to Sudan in the East. The African continent, one of the most vulnerable regions to climate change, is subject to frequent droughts and famine. One climate challenge research is to isolate those aspects of climate variability that are natural from those that are related to human influences. Therefore, the study of climatic conditions before mid-19th century, when anthropogenic influence was of minor importance, is very interesting. In this work the frequency of extreme events, such as droughts and floods, in Western Sahel from the 16th to 18th centuries is investigated using documentary data. Original manuscripts with historical chronicles from Walata and Nema (Mauritania), Timbuktu and Arawan (Mali), and Agadez (Niger) have been analyzed. Information on droughts, intense rainfall, storms and floods, as well as socioeconomic aspects (famines, pests, scarcity, prosperity) has been codified in an ordinal scale ranging from −2 (drought and famines) to +2 (floods) to obtain a numerical index of the annual rainfall in the region. Results show wet conditions in the 17th century, as well as dry conditions in the 18th century (interrupted by a short wet period in the 1730s decade).

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this preprint. The responsibility to include appropriate place names lies with the authors.
V. Millán and F. S. Rodrigo
 
Status: closed
Status: closed
AC: Author comment | RC: Referee comment | SC: Short comment | EC: Editor comment
Printer-friendly Version - Printer-friendly version Supplement - Supplement
 
Status: closed
Status: closed
AC: Author comment | RC: Referee comment | SC: Short comment | EC: Editor comment
Printer-friendly Version - Printer-friendly version Supplement - Supplement
V. Millán and F. S. Rodrigo
V. Millán and F. S. Rodrigo

Viewed

Total article views: 1,823 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
HTML PDF XML Total BibTeX EndNote
1,295 404 124 1,823 88 140
  • HTML: 1,295
  • PDF: 404
  • XML: 124
  • Total: 1,823
  • BibTeX: 88
  • EndNote: 140
Views and downloads (calculated since 26 Sep 2014)
Cumulative views and downloads (calculated since 26 Sep 2014)

Cited

Saved

Discussed

Latest update: 23 Nov 2024