Atacama Desert, the driest place on Earth

Rock formation in the Atacama desert

The planet we live on is a world in which both middle and extreme terms coexist, the Atacama Desert being the place where animals and plants have many problems to get ahead.

It is the driest region that exists, but why?

Map of Atacama Where is the Atacama Desert located?

The Atacama Desert is a non-polar desert located in South America that currently covers an area of ​​approximately 105.000km2, with a length of almost 1600km and a maximum width of 180km. It is delimited by the Pacific Ocean to the west and by the Andes mountain range to the east.

It belongs to Chile, and has borders with Bolivia and Argentina. In the border that delimits with this last South American country, is the Socompa volcano, which towards 5250 a. C. erupted covering an area of ​​600km2 with debris (rock sediments). You can see more about its location on the map

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Atacama desert mountain

If it weren't for the Humboldt current, surely it would still be what it was three million years ago: the seabed. And it is that this current, by transporting cold water from Antarctica to the Chilean and Peruvian coasts, causes the sea breezes to cool down, reducing evaporation and thus avoiding the formation of precipitation clouds..

Another factor that has contributed to the advance of the desert in this part of the world is the Foehn effect, a climatic phenomenon that causes the clouds to discharge precipitation on the slopes of the mountains of, in this case, the Andes Mountains, so that, when they exceed them, they do not have water, which thus generates the desert. 

On the other hand, in the north of the Andes Mountains the Altiplano is formed, which is a high and wide volcanic plain. While to the south it captures the moisture from the Pacific Ocean, to the north it prevents storms from the Amazon region from entering Chile.

What is the climate like in the driest desert in the world?

Salar of the Atacama desert

If you thought the Mediterranean summer was a bit hard to bear, Imagine what it would be like to live in a place where at night it can drop to -25ºC and during the day it can rise to 50ºC.. The thermal amplitude It is so high that very few brave people dare to go, and even fewer have made this desert their home.

In terms of rainfall, a measurable rainfall, that is, 1mm or more, can fall once every 15 to 40 years. It can take centuries for it to rain heavily. But, although it rains very little, during the month of January and February there are many electrical storms.

The relative humidity of the air is 18% in the interior, but it can reach 98% on the coast during the winter months, so that the thermal sensation it can be very uncomfortable. And not only that, but if you dare to go, you must protect yourself against ultraviolet rays, because the radiation is very high.

The Atacama desert and the human being

Astronomical telescopes in the atacama desert

Despite the harsh weather conditions, since the beginning of American colonization, humans have used it in some way. 12.000 years ago a colony worked in an iron oxide mine in Taltal, in the Antofagasta Region. Years later, around 5000 BC, the chinchorros began to mummify their dead. Also the Inca civilization developed here.

Today, it is the ideal place for humanity to learn more about astronomy and enjoy off-road sport.

Astronomy

When you want to gaze at the stars, you should go to a place farthest from the urban center, otherwise light pollution will not let you see much. It is true that there are telescopes with which you can still see many objects and in cities, but it will always be better to stay away from artificial light.

In the Atacama desert this problem does not exist. Not only is there hardly any light pollution, but the low cloud cover and the height above sea level make the image seen through the telescope's optical tube very sharp. For this reason, there are more than a dozen observatories that have been located here, like ALMA, which is the largest astronomical project in the world.

Sports

Do you like the rally? If so, you have likely seen some of the championships that are held in Atacama, such as the Baja Atacama Rally, the Patagonia Atacama Rally, or the Dakar Series Rally. The terrain that this desert has is the most appropriate for this sport.

Flora and fauna adapted to this region

Flora

Although it is hard to believe, there are many species of plants that have managed to adapt, such as the following:

  • copiapoa: it is a genus of cacti with a globose shape measuring 10-15cm protected with black spines that produces spectacular yellow flowers. Depending on the species, it can produce suckers.
  • Senecio myriophyllus: it is a shrub that can measure 50cm with yellow flowers similar to daisies with a diameter of 2cm.
  • Ricinus communis: It is a shrub with palmate leaves of green or reddish color depending on the variety, which can measure 2-3m in height.

Fauna

There are some animals that have evolved in the Atacama Desert, such as the following:

  • Pelecanus: the pelican is an aquatic bird that has a long beak that feeds on fish.
  • vicugna vicugna: the vicuña is the camel of the Andes. It weighs up to 55kg once adult, and feeds on grass.
  • Philodryas chamissonis: the long-tailed snake is a snake that can measure up to 140cm in length. It feeds on small rodents and insects.

Flowery Atacama Desert

Sunrise in the Atacama desert

It seems incredible that in such an arid place it can be the scene of one of the most wonderful spectacles of nature. When it rains, no matter how little, plants grow rapidly and produce so many flowers that they cover the desert with life. And if you don't believe me, here are a couple of images and videos. Enjoy them.

Flowery Atacama Desert

Image - Higherperspective-img.rbl.ms

Flowering plants in the Atacama desert

Image - Explore-Atacama.com

The Atacama Desert is one of the most amazing places on the planet, don't you think?


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  1.   Jhener Pomacosi Mansilla said

    Thanks for the information, it helped me a lot. From what date is the publication?