The Atacama desert in Chile is considered the driest place on earth. Rainfall here is virtually non-existent. Some parts of this desert have not known rain for 400 years. The 'wet' parts get .004 inches per year. The extream dryness is caused by the high Andes mountains to the east and the cold Pacific currents to the west and winds from the east which create a permanent rain shadow.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Driest place on earth
The Atacama desert in Chile is considered the driest place on earth. Rainfall here is virtually non-existent. Some parts of this desert have not known rain for 400 years. The 'wet' parts get .004 inches per year. The extream dryness is caused by the high Andes mountains to the east and the cold Pacific currents to the west and winds from the east which create a permanent rain shadow.
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