The current drought gripping eastern Australia is being called historically significant by many people. But how significant is it, and what history do we use to compare it to?

In this project, the researchers aim to learn more about the 1888 Centennial Drought, a short but devastating drought in eastern Australia that is often excluded from historical comparisons because it occurred before the start of the Bureau of Meteorology’s official record.

We will use station-based data, gridded datasets, palaeoclimate information and documentary records to quantify the drought’s extent and impact, as well as the drivers behind it. The station data include newly recovered historical observations from the New England region of New South Wales which is currently experiencing a prolonged drought.

Click here for Dr Linden Ashcroft’s contact details.

Applications close June 14.