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The Atacama Desert's Valle de la Muerte at Sunset: Also known as the Valley of Death. Ignacio Palacios / Getty ImagesLocated in the northern part of Chile, the Atacama Desert is far from an ordinary dry region. Stretching over 600 miles (965 km) along South America's Pacific Coast, it stands as one of the most extreme terrains in the world. Certain oceanic conditions have caused some areas to experience no rainfall in recorded history, earning the Atacama Desert its title as the driest place on Earth.
Now, let's dive deeper into the Atacama's unique geography and climate to uncover the reasons behind its extreme dryness and what other factors contribute to its singularity.
The Geography of the Chilean Desert
The Atacama Desert, known as Desierto de Atacama in Spanish, lies between the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Andes Mountains to the east. Its northern edge borders southern Peru, while the southern part stretches into Chile, reaching the port city of Antofagasta.
Within this vast region, you'll find several notable features, including the Atacama Salt Flat, the Pampa del Tamarugal (Plateau of the Tamarugal), and two famous dry valleys near San Pedro de Atacama: Valle de la Luna (Valley of the Moon) and Valle de Marte (Mars Valley).
The Atacama is often compared to Mars due to its strikingly similar terrain and climate to the surface of the red planet. Another name for Mars Valley is Valle de la Muerte, or Valley of Death.
The Atacama Desert's landscape is marked by barren, surreal vistas, with expansive stretches of sand and rocky terrain. Unlike many other deserts that might have occasional oases or sparse vegetation, the Atacama is known for its stark, desolate nature.
The elevation throughout the region varies. For instance, San Pedro de Atacama sits at about 8,000 feet (2,438 meters) above sea level, while certain higher areas reach elevations exceeding 16,000 feet (4,877 meters).
Climate of the Atacama Desert
The Atacama Desert is characterized by its extreme dryness. A unique weather pattern emerges from the cold air of the Peru Current (also called the Humboldt Current
The Atacama Desert barely receives any precipitation, with certain areas having gone without rain for centuries, establishing it as the driest place on Earth.
The lack of rainfall is a result of the Andes Mountains' high elevation, which blocks icy winds from the sea, as well as katabatic winds (dense air pulled downward by gravity) that descend from the mountains, further drying out the air.
One might assume the Atacama Desert to be unbearably hot because of its arid conditions, but that is a misconception. In fact, the average summer temperature in Antofagasta, a prominent port city in northern Chile, is a moderate 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18 degrees Celsius).
Despite its reputation for extreme dryness, the Atacama Desert is not entirely devoid of moisture.
Along the coast, a phenomenon known as the camanchaca occurs: a dense marine fog from the Pacific that blankets the desert. While it doesn't produce any rain, the camanchaca does provide a minimal source of moisture for certain plants and animals.
Wildlife and Vegetation in the Atacama
Despite its harsh conditions, the Atacama Desert is home to a surprising array of wildlife and plant species.
Along the coast and in the valleys, you can find hardy cacti, succulents, flowers and herbs that have adapted to the arid environment. These plants play a crucial role in providing a habitat and food for the desert's animal inhabitants, including foxes, birds, rodents and reptiles.
The Salar de Atacama, the desert's largest salt flat, is situated in the southern region, where unique microorganisms thrive in the salty waters. These microorganisms become a vital food source for flamingos, which migrate to the country's biggest salt deposit during the summer, creating a stunning contrast of color in the otherwise barren landscape.
Human Impact on the Atacama Desert
Despite its harsh conditions, the Atacama Desert is home to over 1 million people. Historically, the region has been exploited for its natural resources, including abundant nitrate deposits (also known as saltpeter), which were extensively mined by businesses during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
The mining industry brought prosperity and growth to the region, but it also left lasting environmental damage and sparked conflicts between Chile and Bolivia, both of which competed for the desert's valuable natural resources.
Today, the Atacama Desert remains a fascinating destination for scientists and researchers worldwide. Its extreme conditions offer a perfect environment for studying life in extreme settings, and its minimal light pollution and lack of precipitation make it an ideal location for stargazing.
The Atacama region hosts both the Atacama Large Millimeter Array and the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), and has been the site for various significant astronomy projects over the years.
5 Other Incredibly Dry Locations Around the World
While the Atacama Desert is known as the driest place on Earth, there are several other regions with similarly arid conditions, although not as extreme. It's no surprise that these extremely dry areas tend to be deserts, where rainfall is virtually nonexistent.
1. McMurdo Dry Valleys
The McMurdo Dry Valleys in Antarctica, though covered in ice and frozen soil, represent a polar desert with very low humidity and almost no precipitation. Located west of McMurdo Sound, the area experiences an average annual temperature of -4°F (-20°C) and receives less than 2.5 inches (6 cm) of precipitation each year.
McMurdo Sound is well-known as the site where British explorer Ernest Shackleton established a base during his attempt to reach the South Pole between 1907 and 1909. His hut remains standing there today.
2. Sahara Desert
Spanning North Africa, the Sahara is the largest hot desert on the planet. Temperatures frequently reach 122 degrees Fahrenheit (50 degrees Celsius) during its hottest periods. The desert stretches from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the Mediterranean Sea in the north and the Red Sea in the east.
This desert receives an average of only 3 inches (7.6 cm) of rainfall annually, with the majority falling between December and March. Despite its harsh conditions, around 2.5 million people reside in the Sahara.
3. Sonoran Desert
Situated in the southwestern part of North America, the Sonoran Desert extends across sections of both the United States and Mexico. In the region near the southern end of the Colorado River, summer temperatures can soar to 120°F (49°C), with annual rainfall typically not exceeding 3 inches (7.6 cm).
The area is home to various plant species, including different types of cacti such as the saguaro, mesquite trees, and creosote bushes.
4. Arabian Desert
Covering much of the Arabian Peninsula in the Middle East, this tropical desert is characterized by extreme conditions. The region can experience temperatures as high as 130°F (55°C).
While its yearly rainfall can vary dramatically from none to up to 20 inches (51 cm), the desert usually receives less than 4 inches (10.2 cm) annually. Dust storms and heavy floods are common, adding to the harshness of the environment.
5. Namib Desert
Regarded as one of the world's oldest deserts, the Namib in southern Africa has endured hyper-arid conditions for millions of years. Located along the western coast of Africa, the desert receives minimal rainfall, with inland areas getting only about 2 inches (5 cm) annually, and coastal regions averaging just half an inch (1.3 cm) per year.
While very few people inhabit the desert, wildlife such as elephants, rhinoceroses, lions, and other mammals can be found in the inland regions.
