As you read about the Dust Bowl of 1930, find and list at least 4 causes of this huge environmental disaster.
1. Drought: The Dust Bowl was primarily caused by a severe drought that afflicted the Great Plains region of the United States in the 1930s. The lack of rainfall and abnormally high temperatures led to the drying up of water sources and the withering of crops, making the land susceptible to soil erosion.
2. Overcultivation and agricultural practices: Farmers in the Great Plains region had been practicing extensive agriculture, growing crops such as wheat and corn on vast areas of land. This led to the overcultivation of the soil, which depleted its nutrients and weakened its structure. Additionally, farmers often neglected crop rotation and failed to employ proper soil conservation techniques, which further contributed to soil erosion.
3. Land speculation and excessive farming: During the 1920s, there was a boom in land speculation in the Great Plains, with many investors and farmers rushing to buy and cultivate large tracts of land. However, this excessive farming and cultivation resulted in the destruction of native grasses that held the soil together, causing it to become loose and easily susceptible to erosion.
4. High winds and dust storms: The combination of drought, overcultivation, and bare soil resulted in frequent dust storms in the region. The strong winds would whip up the loose soil and carry it across vast distances, causing immense dust storms. These storms not only damaged crops but also had severe health impacts on humans and animals, leading to respiratory diseases and other health issues.