Summary
The Atacama Desert in Chile, usually a dry and barren area, has burst into bloom with colorful wildflowers due to significant rainfall. This event is rare and happens only when there is above-average rainfall, allowing seeds that have been dormant to grow. Over 200 different species of wildflowers are now visible.
Key Facts
- The Atacama Desert is located in Chile, between the Andes Mountains and the Pacific Ocean.
- It is one of the driest places on Earth, usually getting less than 15mm of rain each year.
- In August, the desert received over 12mm of rain, mostly in one day.
- There are more than 200 species of wildflowers currently blooming in the desert.
- Some wildflowers in this bloom do not grow anywhere else in the world.
- This blooming event also happened in 2024 due to heavy rains.
- The blooming period runs from late August to November.
- Chile's National Forest Corporation says the peak bloom will last a few more weeks.
