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Drought, fires and flood on the pastoral frontier: 1820 to 1855
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-21, 18:07 authored by Evans, KathrynDrought, fires and flood were experienced by settlers in Van Diemen's Land from the very beginnings of European settlement. The variability of the island's climate was foreign to many British settlers and resulted in the need to adapt and innovate in establishing both towns and farms. Even though four seasons approximating to the summer, winter, autumn and spring of the northern hemisphere were discernible, the weather was often highly variable from one year to the next. Periods characterised by oppressive heat, drought and bushfires could quickly be replaced by flooding rains and punishing cold. The uncertainty of rainfall, in particular, could make life extremely difficult. As settlement spread across the island regional climatic variation also became apparent.
History
Publication title
Tasmanian Historical Research Association, Papers and ProceedingsVolume
57Pagination
28 - 39ISSN
0039-9809Department/School
School of Geography, Planning and Spatial SciencesPublisher
Tasmanian Historical Research Association Inc.Place of publication
Sandy Bay, TasmaniaRights statement
Copyright © Tasmanian Historical Research AssociationRepository Status
- Restricted