The Atacama Desert in Chile is considered one of the driest places on Earth, but the land is suddenly covered with a picturesque “flower carpet” after an unusual downpour.
The Atacama Desert is known as the driest place in the world, being likened to “Mars on Earth” with record low rainfall. The soil in this area is so harsh that there are not many trees and animals that can survive, not even cacti can grow. Even NASA has come here to test the equipment used for the next missions on Mars.
However, the surprising thing is that an arid and seemingly lifeless place like Atacama can grow a beautiful wildflower carpet that makes the whole desert feel like it is completely reborn.
(Photo via housebeautiful)
According to National Geographic, about once every 5-7 years, a large amount of rain will fall on this area, causing the seeds that are still “sleeping” underground to be awakened and begin to germinate and bloom simultaneously. This phenomenon is also known as desierto florido (desert flower) .
Not only are the bright pink mallow flowers blooming, but more than 200 other species of plants also begin to grow after the rain, adding color to the desert.
However, the environment in the desert is a very harsh place, there is not much rain, followed by constant dryness, so the flower bed will not be able to last long, usually only lasts from September to September. November then began to fade away.
But luckily, during that time, the flowers with late blooming seeds will continue to be buried underground and “sleep” until the next rain stops, they will bloom again instead. for the dead flowers.
After information about this rare and interesting natural phenomenon appeared in the media, it turned this place into a place that attracts a large number of tourists both at home and abroad, flocking here. to admire this field of brilliant flowers.
It is known that the Atacama desert is located in northern Chile, between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes mountain range, consisting of contrasting terrain such as: rocky hills, volcanoes and stretches of sand dunes. Atacama has an area of about 181,300 m2, recognized by Guinness World Records, NASA and the American Geographical Society as the driest place in the world.
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