In the rugged corner of South America, the world’s driest desert is experiencing a rare phenomenon as fine rain showers sprinkle the Atacama Desert, creating a breathtaking sea of flowers.
Nearly a decade ago, Chile’s Atacama Desert saw the largest rainfall in twenty years, leading to massive mudslides, river flooding, and resulting in 28 deaths. However, this rainfall also brought forth a beautiful sight in the arid coastal plateau next to the Andes mountains, made up of salt flats, resembling scenes from the movie “The Sound of Music.” The desert is now adorned with blooming flowers, as seeds of perennial plants that had lain dormant for years or even decades seem to have been awakened by the sudden rain.
Covering around 141,000 acres, the Atacama Desert has transformed into a vibrant display of colors in shades of pink and green, leading to the coining of a more familiar term to describe this phenomenon – the “desierto florido,” or blooming desert. Many tourists have flocked to Chile to witness the astonishing colors amidst the surreal barren landscape. Subsequently, media outlets such as National Geographic and Smithsonian have also reported on this desert marvel.
This rare spectacle in the desert is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Reports have suggested that it may occur once every 5 to 10 years or even every 3 to 10 years. However, it reoccurred in 2017, 2021, and 2022, and now seems to be making an appearance again in 2024, albeit on a smaller scale. According to a report by Reuters on July 8, the dunes of the Atacama once again have been covered with white and purple flowers.
At times, the Atacama Desert showcases a sea of pink and purple, often composed of the pata de guanaco flower, although around 200 other flower species also bloom alongside, such as the crimson garra de león and white schizopetalon flowers. These flowers do not bloom as expected during the spring season in North America but rather in South America’s spring, which typically lasts from mid-September to mid-November. Currently, Chile is in its winter season.
This year, the blooming season has come earlier than usual. Reports indicate that the 2024 blooming of flowers is attributed to the unusually high rainfall last April, where the desert received close to 0.5 inches of rain, nearly equivalent to its annual average of 0.6 inches. However, this is still significantly lower compared to the 0.9 inches of rainfall within 12 hours in March 2015. The area of this famous blooming desert still spans tens of thousands of acres.
In 2023, the Chilean government declared its intention to protect the Atacama Desert, marking a significant step. Without proper protection from the Chilean government for this precious salt flat, visitors who come to witness the desert bloom spectacle may litter and trample on the flowers.
National Geographic highlighted that endangered species such as certain cacti and other threatened species that grow in the Atacama Desert require attention. Scientists believe that the unique microorganisms found only here can help us understand environments like those on Mars.
Another perspective suggests that the Atacama Desert is one of the few glimpses of hope amidst climate change. Reports indicate that rainfall in Chile’s coastal regions is becoming more frequent, leading to more frequent blooming of flowers in the desert. This so-called “happy effect” brought about by climate change is now considered worthy of preservation.
With the title of the world’s driest desert, the Atacama Desert owes its status to its geographical location, with one side facing the ocean and the other surrounded by rugged mountains. Moisture from the West Pacific Ocean is blocked by high-pressure zones above the desert, preventing the formation of low-pressure storms. The Andes mountains on the other side protect the eastern side of the desert from rainfall.
This miraculous transformation of the Atacama Desert into a vibrant sea of blooms is a reminder of nature’s resilience and the delicate balance that exists in the world’s ecosystems. Tourists and scientists alike are captivated by this extraordinary event that showcases the beauty and wonders of our planet’s natural landscapes.