California Drought (IMAGE) Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Caption Research by WHOI paleoclimatologist Kevin Anchukaitis, left, and Univ. of Minnesota assistant professor Dan Griffin has shown that the drought of 2012-2014 has been the worst in 1,200 years. They used tree-rings from centuries-old blue oak like the one pictured to provide long-term context for the ongoing California drought. Credit (Photo by Megan Lundin, Wind Wolves Preserve, Bakersfield, CA) Usage Restrictions with proper credit License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.