The Atacama Desert, located in northern Chile, stands as the driest non-polar place on Earth. Despite its extreme aridity, this mesmerizing corner of the Earth offers landscapes of unparalleled beauty that are worth exploring.
Discovering the Atacama Desert in Chile
In this article, we will delve into this fascinating desert, its origins, its unique flora and fauna, as well as its astonishing landscapes that make it an unmissable tourist destination.
Origins of the Desert
The Atacama Desert has a history dating back approximately three million years. In its past, it was the bed of an ancient sea. Its formation is due to a climatic phenomenon known as the Fohn effect.
This phenomenon occurs on the eastern slopes of the Andes, where clouds release their precipitation on one side of the mountain, leaving the opposite side completely dry. Furthermore, high-pressure currents in the Pacific Ocean block precipitation, thus creating a unique desert.
The Role of the Humboldt Current
The extreme aridity of the Atacama Desert is largely due to the Humboldt Current, a cold ocean current that flows northward. This current is driven by the strong Pacific anticyclone and maintains cool temperatures in the region.
The combination of the Humboldt Current and the high mountains surrounding it prevents moisture from the Pacific or Atlantic Ocean from reaching the desert, creating a rain shadow on both sides.
A Region of Extreme Aridity
The average precipitation in the Atacama Desert is only about 15 mm per year, and in some places, it barely reaches 1 to 3 mm per year.
In some weather stations, it has never rained. Periods of up to four years without precipitation have been recorded in the central zone of the desert, between the cities of Antofagasta, Calama, and Copiapó.
It is estimated that between 1570 and 1971, the desert may have experienced a period without significant rainfall. This extreme dryness makes it one of the oldest deserts on Earth.
Surprising Flora and Fauna
Despite its aridity, the Atacama Desert is home to a surprising biodiversity. In the pre-Hispanic and colonial past, the Pampa del Tamarugal, an extensive plain, was covered with forests.
However, the demand for wood for silver and saltpeter mining led to widespread deforestation in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Some areas of Atacama receive the “camanchaca,” a coastal fog that provides the necessary humidity for hypolithic algae, lichens, and even some cacti to thrive.
Additionally, the Salar de Atacama, Chile’s largest salt flat, hosts a notable colony of flamingos, as well as guanacos and vicuñas.
Unforgettable Landscapes
The Atacama Desert offers landscapes that seem to be taken from a dream. Mountains with impossible shapes, turquoise-colored lagoons, columns of boiling water, and vast sand dunes stretch before the eyes of visitors.
The region is also famous for being a paradise for stargazing, as Atacama boasts some of the world’s best observatories.
The Atacama Desert, despite its apparent inhospitality, is a place that captivates those who explore it. Its landscapes, geological history, and rich biodiversity make it a unique destination in the world.
If you seek a truly unforgettable experience, you cannot miss visiting this hidden treasure in northern Chile. The Atacama Desert awaits you with its secrets and wonders to discover.
