The Earth we live on is a world filled with many strange phenomena. One of these is the driest desert in the world, where it seems almost impossible for life to exist, yet it sustains up to 1 million local inhabitants. What desert could this be?
This desert is famous for being the driest in the world yet can sustain over 1 million people. (Image: Baidu)
Rainfall Measured in Millimeters
The desert we are talking about is the Atacama Desert, a non-polar desert located in South America. The Atacama Desert is situated in northern Chile and a small part in southern Peru. It lies between the Andes mountain range and the Pacific Ocean, approximately 960 km from the Tropic of Capricorn. The Atacama Desert is distinguished from other deserts by its unique terrain, characterized by rocky hills, volcanic rocks, and extensive sand dunes. This desert is located at an elevation of 3,200 meters above sea level and spans an area of 181,300 km2.
The Atacama Desert is one of the most extreme environments on Earth. According to scientists’ analyses, from 1570 to 1971, the Atacama Desert experienced very little rainfall. In fact, some areas have never recorded a single drop of rain. This has made the Atacama Desert an incredibly arid region. However, other areas of the desert receive more rainfall, creating a diverse ecosystem.
Some areas in the Atacama Desert receive only 3 mm of rainfall each year. (Image: Baidu)
The average rainfall in the Atacama Desert can only be measured in millimeters. Parts of the desert, such as Iquique and Arica, receive only about 3 mm of rain annually.
According to scientists, there are three main reasons for the scarcity of rainfall in the Atacama Desert.
- First, the desert is blocked by the Andes mountains, creating a Foehn effect. This climatic phenomenon causes clouds to release large amounts of rain on the mountain slopes, so by the time they pass over, there is no moisture left.
- Second, the influence of the Humboldt Current brings cold water from Antarctica to the coasts of Chile and Peru, cooling sea breezes. This current also reduces water evaporation and makes it difficult for rain-bearing clouds to form.
- Third, there is a high and vast volcanic plateau known as the Altiplano. To the south, the Altiplano draws moisture from the Pacific, while to the north, it prevents storms from the Amazon region from entering Chile.
“Mars on Earth”
Scientists have discovered that the terrain of the Atacama Desert is very similar to that of Mars. This desert is also used as a testing ground for devices and robots sent to Mars by NASA. According to a study published in the journal Geology, the Atacama Desert was the site of a comet impact approximately 12,000 years ago. The explosion from the comet was so powerful that it created enormous silicate glass shards that still exist today.
These glass fields are vast, colored green and black, stretching up to 75 km. Upon closer inspection, the glass shards are twisted, folded, and tossed around as they melted. This only happens during large explosions, creating winds comparable to tornadoes.
The terrain of the Atacama Desert shares many similarities with Mars. (Image: Baidu)
In the glass of the Atacama Desert, there are many mineral fragments typically found in meteors that have fallen to Earth. Specifically, these minerals include cubanite and troilite. The minerals in this type of glass resemble particles collected by NASA’s Wild 2 comet sample return mission. Scientists believe that the minerals in the Atacama Desert are remnants of a comet similar to Wild 2 after it exploded in the desert, melting the sand.
According to Professor Pete Schultz, the author of the study, this is the first time they have evidence of glass types on Earth created by thermal radiation and winds from a fireball exploding right on the surface. While volcanic activity can also produce this type of glass, they believe that the glass in the Atacama was not formed this way.
An Extreme Environment
Deserts are often known for their extremely harsh temperatures. However, the Atacama Desert is much harsher. In addition to the lack of rain, the prolonged water scarcity also makes the Atacama Desert an unsuitable place for habitation. Experts predict that the extremely arid environment here will persist for another 10 to 15 million years.
Experts predict that the arid environment of the Atacama Desert will persist for another 10-15 million years. (Image: Baidu)
Even cacti cannot grow in the Atacama Desert. The air is too dry, and oxidation processes cannot occur in metallic materials. If you place a piece of meat here, it will remain preserved indefinitely without any embalming method. The vast lands are so barren and devoid of moisture that even the tiniest bacteria struggle to survive.
Despite the Atacama Desert having peaks reaching 6,885 meters, there is no snow or ice. During the Ice Age, there was no snow or ice here either. Summers are extremely harsh. Imagine how people would survive in a place where temperatures drop to -25 degrees Celsius at night and rise to 50 degrees Celsius during the day. If you visit Atacama in the summer, you may experience consequences such as brittle hair and cracked nails.
A Habitat for 1 Million People
It is often said that water is the source of life, and it is challenging for humans to exist in places lacking water. Yet, in the arid and water-scarce Atacama Desert, over 1 million residents live in coastal cities, fishing villages, and oasis towns. Historical records show that people have inhabited this region for thousands of years. So how do these inhabitants manage to survive in such a harsh desert?
If you place a piece of meat in the Atacama Desert, it will remain preserved indefinitely without any embalming method. (Image: Baidu)
In fact, after living in the Atacama Desert for an extended period, the local people have discovered a unique water storage method. They have used dense mesh panels to collect water from groundwater fed by melting snow from the Andes mountains. Subsequently, this water is piped to each household.
Additionally, the Atacama Desert is one of the ideal locations for humanity to observe the night sky. Its elevation and vast area make it favorable for stargazing. Each year, there are over 300 nights with very clear skies. Not only is there virtually no light pollution, but the low cloud cover and high altitude above sea level make images seen through telescopes exceptionally sharp. Therefore, this desert is also home to one of the largest telescopes in the world.
The Atacama Desert is also an ideal location for observing the night sky. (Image: Baidu)
The Atacama Desert contains 8 hot springs with an average temperature of 33°C. These hot springs have a uniquely blue color and are very refreshing for relaxation. All 8 hot springs are open to visitors. The best time for tourists to visit these hot springs is from October to June.
