This year, the phenomenon of blooming in the Atacama Desert occurred unusually early instead of in spring as in previous years.
Located in northern Chile, the Atacama Desert is renowned as one of the driest regions on Earth. These days, a miraculous sight is unfolding in Atacama: the once barren sandy expanses are now adorned with a vibrant carpet of white and purple flowers.
Purple flowers blooming in the Atacama Desert on July 6, 2024 – (Photo: REUTERS).
Romantic purple hues in the Atacama Desert – (Photo: REUTERS).
Seeds sprouting, growing, and blooming after a period of “dormancy” – (Photo: jang.com.pk).
In addition to purple flowers, there are also charming white blooms – (Photo: REUTERS).
Known as Disierto Florida (Flowering Desert), every few years, the Atacama Desert becomes blanketed with flowers when appropriate rainfall and temperature awaken dormant seeds.
Typically observed in spring, this year, however, the flowering phenomenon in the desert has occurred unusually early, in the midst of winter in the Southern Hemisphere.
One reason for this early bloom is the significant increase in rainfall related to El Niño, a natural climate phenomenon that impacts global weather by raising regional temperatures and promoting increased evaporation.
According to a 2022 analysis by experts from the Catholic University of Chile, over the past 40 years, the Atacama Desert has witnessed 15 instances of purple flower blooms.
Cesar Pizarro, who is responsible for biodiversity conservation at the National Forestry Corporation (CONAF), believes that while the current bloom is not extensive enough to officially be considered part of a “flowering desert,” experts predict that significant rainfall could lead to an even larger bloom.
In 2022, the Chilean government announced the establishment of a new national park in the Atacama Desert to preserve rare flower species and their associated wildlife, including insects, reptiles, and birds.
