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Source-This post on Badwater Basin in Death Valley is based on the article “Driest place in North America has been home to a lake for 6 months, show NASA images” published in “DownToEarth” on 21st February 2024.
Why in the News?
In North America’s driest region, Badwater Basin in Death Valley has been persisting and expanding as a temporary lake. This Phenomenon has been documented by NASA through satellite imagery.
About Badwater Basin
1. About- It is an endorheic basin. The endorheic nature implies that water does not naturally exist there, but rather flows into it. It often leads to swift evaporation and the formation of temporary lakes.
2. Location- It is located in Death Valley, California, USA. It holds the distinction of being the lowest point in North America, with an elevation of 282 feet (86 meters) below sea level.
3. Nearby landscape– It is just 84.6 miles east-southeast of Mount Whitney, the highest point in the United States.
4. Recent phenomenon which has been observed:
a. Recent heavy rainfall, following Hurricane Hilary in August 2023, has altered the landscape of the region and has resulted in the appearance of Manly Lake.
b. The lake initially reduced in size, but surprisingly persisted through the fall and winter seasons. Its recovery in February 2024 was facilitated by a robust atmospheric river that replenished its waters.
c. In Death Valley, which usually sees just 51 millimeters of rain per year, there was an extraordinary 125 millimeters rainfall in the last six months.
About Death Valley
1. About:
a. It is a desert valley in Eastern California, US in the northern Mojave Desert, bordering the Great Basin Desert.
b. It is one of the hottest places on Earth, along with deserts in the Middle East and the Sahara.
2. Climate: Death Valley has a scorching desert climate, with summer temperatures frequently exceeding 100°F (38°C). It holds the world record for the highest reliably recorded air temperature, hitting 134°F (56.7°C) in July 1913 at Furnace Creek.
3. Flora and Fauna: Even in its tough conditions, Death Valley hosts diverse plant and animal life well-suited to desert settings. Typical plants include creosote bush, desert holly, and different types of cacti. The park is home to wildlife like bighorn sheep, coyotes, kit foxes, and various reptiles.
| Read more – Death Valley |
UPSC Syllabus- Geography and Places in news
