What Is the Driest Place on Earth?

The driest place on Earth is widely considered to be the Dry Valleys, located in southeastern Antarctica. Although the continent is mainly known for being 98% covered by ice, the 1,853-square-mile (4,800-square-kilometer) Dry Valleys receive only about 2 inches (50 mm) of precipitation per year. This is thought to be partly because of mountains in the area that are so high they block out flowing ice. Another reason the Dry Valleys are the driest place on Earth is because of winds known as katabatic winds. These winds are so powerful — reaching 200 miles (322 km) per hour — that they evaporate most of the possible moisture in the area before it can settle.

More about Antarctica:

• Antarctica’s climate and conditions so closely resemble the planet Mars that scientists study the continent to try to learn more about conditions on Mars.
• An average of 5,000 scientists reside in Antarctica during its summer months. The number of residents generally drops to about 1,000 in the winter.
• About 90% of the ice on Earth is located in Antarctica.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the driest place on Earth?

The Atacama Desert in Chile holds the title for the driest place on Earth. Some weather stations in the region have never recorded a single drop of rain, and the desert's core receives less than 1 millimeter of rainfall per year. Its hyperarid conditions are due to a combination of high altitude, the rain shadow effect of the Andes, and cold offshore ocean currents.

Why is the Atacama Desert so dry?

The Atacama Desert's extreme dryness is caused by a unique set of geographical and climatic factors. It lies in the rain shadow of the Andes Mountains, which blocks moisture from the Amazon Basin, and is cooled by the Humboldt Current, which reduces evaporation. Additionally, the desert sits at a high altitude, further inhibiting cloud formation and precipitation.

Are there any living organisms in the Atacama Desert?

Despite its harsh conditions, life persists in the Atacama Desert. Microbial communities have adapted to the extreme aridity, and some hardy plant species, like the llareta, can survive with moisture from coastal fogs. Certain bird species, insects, and even small mammals like the Viscacha are found in more hospitable areas of the desert.

How does the Atacama Desert compare to Antarctica in terms of dryness?

While the Atacama Desert is the driest hot desert, parts of Antarctica are technically drier when considering cold deserts. The McMurdo Dry Valleys in Antarctica have seen no significant rainfall for nearly 2 million years. However, the Atacama is often considered the driest based on its lack of precipitation and soil moisture content.

Can it ever rain in the Atacama Desert?

Rain in the Atacama Desert is an extremely rare event, but it does occur occasionally. When it does, it can cause dramatic changes, such as the "blooming desert" phenomenon, where dormant seeds germinate and the landscape transforms with a carpet of flowers. These blooms are unpredictable and can happen once every 5 to 10 years.

What impact does the dryness of the Atacama have on scientific research?

The Atacama Desert's dryness makes it an excellent analog for Mars, providing a unique environment for astrobiologists to study potential life in extraterrestrial conditions. Its clear skies and minimal light pollution also make it an ideal location for astronomical observatories, such as the Very Large Telescope (VLT) and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA).