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The hottest, driest, and lowest national park compared to sea level - Death Valley is a land of extremes.
Established on October 24, 1994, Death Valley National Park is a stunningly beautiful yet challenging landscape, where unique wildlife species have developed clever adaptations to survive in harsh, arid environments.
Here are some things you may not know about Death Valley:
1. Death Valley is the lowest point in North America
This unique valley lies on the border between California and Nevada. At a depth of 86m below sea level, the Badwater Basin area within Death Valley is an otherworldly landscape that deceives the senses. What many tourists mistake for snow is actually a thick layer of salt covering the entire ground.
Here, after heavy rains and storms, minerals from the rocks will be carried down by rainwater to create temporary water ponds. After the water evaporates, the minerals will crystallize again to form salt. This process has been going on for thousands of years, creating an unimaginably thick layer of salt.
1. You can't bear the scorching heat in Death Valley for too long.
In July 2018, Death Valley - the hottest place on Earth - experienced the hottest month ever recorded in history, with daytime temperatures reaching nearly 53°C for four consecutive days. You could even fry an egg with this heat, but that doesn't mean you should.
3. Life blooms from wildflowers.
Contrary to its ominous name, in spring, Death Valley brings forth vibrant life. Under favorable conditions, the hills here are covered with carpets of yellow, pink, purple, or white flowers.
First, a heavy rain will wash away the covering layer of wildflower seeds and allow them to germinate. For the plants to continue growing, storms must come regularly and continuously throughout the winter and spring months. Although they only bloom for a short time, the flower fields have left a lasting impression on visitors and attract a large number of pollinators such as butterflies, flies, and bees.
4. Mysterious Moving Rocks
Racetrack Playa is home to one of Death Valley's oldest mysteries. Scattered across the dry lakebed are hundreds of rocks that can move on their own, leaving long trails on the ground. Some rocks weighing over 300kg can travel up to 457m from their original positions.
For years, the origin of the moving rocks has been a major question in the scientific community. However, by 2014, researchers had identified some factors that could cause the rocks to move. Specifically, during winter floods, low nighttime temperatures would freeze water into thin ice layers that gradually thawed during the day. At this point, strong winds would push the rocks forward on the slippery surface, leaving tracks on the mud below. Despite uncovering the secrets of the moving rocks, its allure to tourists remains unchanged.
5. If You Listen Closely, the Sand Sings to You
Although sand dunes only occupy a small part of Death Valley, they are still one of the park's most memorable attractions. At the top of the dunes, you can experience one of the desert's strangest phenomena: singing sand. As the sand cascades down the slope of the high dunes, you can hear sounds resembling the bass notes of an organ or the distant hum of drones. The cause of this phenomenon is still unknown, but it's likely due to friction between the sand grains.
6. A Golf Course Not for Golfing
The Devil's Golf Course earns its name for having the most bizarre terrain in the valley, often said to be a place 'only demons could play golf.' The ground here is sculpted by wind and rain erosion, forming stunningly rugged spires. If you listen closely, you might even hear the faint popping of billions of salt crystals expanding and contracting under the blistering heat.
7. Fish Living in the Desert
The idea of finding fish living in the desert may seem implausible, but surprisingly, there are six species of fish that can survive in the salty waters and harsh conditions of Death Valley, one of which is the endangered Devils Hole Pupfish. It only inhabits the 34°C waters of Devils Hole cave, where water temperature and oxygen levels could be lethal to most other fish species. These shimmering blue-green fish, measuring just a few centimeters long, are among the rarest fish in the world.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior
