Death Valley National Park, the hottest, driest, and lowest national park in North America, is a land of extremes.
Things You Might Not Know About Death Valley
Established on October 24, 1994, Death Valley National Park features stunning yet challenging landscapes where unique wildlife has developed remarkable adaptations to survive in its arid and harsh environment.
1. Death Valley is the lowest point in North America
This unique valley lies on the border between California and Nevada. At 86 meters (282 feet) below sea level, the Badwater Basin within Death Valley presents a surreal landscape that can deceive the senses. What many visitors mistake for snow is actually a thick layer of salt covering the ground.
This valley lies on the border between California and Nevada.
Here, after heavy rains and storms, minerals from the rocks are carried down by the rainwater, creating temporary pools. Once the water evaporates, the minerals crystallize into salt. This process has been ongoing for thousands of years, resulting in an unbelievable thick salt crust.
2. You can’t withstand the heat in Death Valley for long
In July 2018, the valley—known as the hottest place on Earth—experienced the hottest month ever recorded in history, with daytime temperatures soaring to nearly 53 degrees Celsius (127 degrees Fahrenheit) for four consecutive days. You could even fry an egg in this heat, but that doesn’t mean you should try.
3. Life comes from wildflowers
Contrary to its ominous name, Death Valley bursts with vibrant life in the spring. Under the right conditions, the hills here are blanketed with carpets of yellow, pink, purple, or white wildflowers.
Initially, a heavy rain washes away the seed coat of wildflower seeds, allowing them to germinate. For the plants to continue growing, rains must be consistent throughout the winter and spring months. Although they bloom for only a short period, the fields of flowers leave a lasting impression on visitors and attract numerous pollinators like butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees.
4. Rocks can move on their own
The Racetrack Playa is home to one of Death Valley’s oldest mysteries. Scattered across the dry lakebed are hundreds of rocks that can move on their own, leaving long trails on the ground. Some rocks weighing over 300 kg (660 lbs) can move up to 457 meters (1,500 feet) from their original position.
The rocks move on their own in Death Valley.
For many years, the source of the rocks’ movement remained a significant question in the scientific community. However, in 2014, researchers discovered several factors that could influence the rocks’ movement. Specifically, during winter floods, the low nighttime temperatures cause the water to freeze into a thin layer of ice, which melts during the day. At this time, strong winds push the rocks forward on the slippery surface, leaving trails in the mud below. While the secret of the moving rocks has been uncovered, their allure remains unchanged for visitors.
5. If you listen closely, the sand will sing for you
Though sand dunes occupy only a small portion of Death Valley, they are one of the park’s most memorable attractions. At the top of the sand dunes, you can experience one of the desert’s most peculiar phenomena: singing sand. As the sand slips down the slope of the towering dune, sounds resembling low notes from a pipe organ or the distant hum of a drone can be heard. The cause of this phenomenon is still unknown, but it is likely due to the friction between sand grains.
6. A golf course not used for golf
The Devil’s Golf Course is the name given to the area with the most bizarre terrain in the valley, often described as a place where “only the devil could play golf.” The ground in this area has been eroded by wind and rain, forming beautiful jagged towers. If you listen closely, you may even hear the tiny pops of billions of salt crystals expanding and contracting under the intense heat.
7. Fish live in the desert
There are six fish species that can survive in the salty waters and harsh conditions of Death Valley.
Finding fish living in the desert may seem impossible, but surprisingly, there are six fish species that can survive in the salty waters and harsh conditions of Death Valley, one of which is the endangered Devils Hole Pupfish. It resides in the 34 degrees Celsius (93 degrees Fahrenheit) waters of Devils Hole, where the water temperature and oxygen levels can be lethal to most other fish species. These few centimeters long shimmering blue fish are among the rarest in the world.
