Which environmental disaster in California during the 1930s was caused by drought and poor agricultural practices?

The Dust Bowl is identified as the environmental disaster in California during the 1930s that was significantly influenced by drought and poor agricultural practices. This phenomenon involved severe soil erosion and the degradation of agricultural land, primarily in the Great Plains region but also affected some areas in California, especially during the prolonged drought conditions of that era.

As farmers in these regions over-farmed the land by utilizing techniques that stripped the topsoil without giving the land a chance to recover, the soil became increasingly vulnerable. When drought struck, these areas faced severe dust storms, which whipped up the loose soil into massive clouds that affected air quality and agricultural productivity.

This event exemplifies the interaction of environmental stressors with human activity, leading to catastrophic consequences for both the land and those who depended on it for their livelihoods. The Dust Bowl ultimately prompted changes in farming practices and soil conservation policies as the need for sustainable agriculture became clear in light of the disaster's long-lasting impact.