13 Facts About Atacama desert

1.

The Atacama Desert is the driest nonpolar desert in the world, and the second driest overall, just behind some very specific spots within the McMurdo Dry Valleys as well as the only hot true desert to receive less precipitation than the polar deserts, and the largest fog desert in the world.

FactSnippet No. 765,616
2.

The most arid region of the Atacama Desert is situated between two mountain chains of sufficient height to prevent moisture advection from either the Pacific or the Atlantic Ocean, a two-sided rain shadow.

FactSnippet No. 765,617
3.

However, other sources consider that the part of the Atacama desert in Peru is a different ecosystem, and should properly be named as Pampas de la Joya Atacama desert.

FactSnippet No. 765,618
4.

The geomorphology of the Atacama Desert has been characterized as a low-relief bench "similar to a giant uplifted terrace" by Armijo and co-workers.

FactSnippet No. 765,619
5.

However, some locations in the Atacama desert receive a marine fog known locally as the camanchaca, providing sufficient moisture for hypolithic algae, lichens, and even some cacti—the genus Copiapoa is notable among these.

FactSnippet No. 765,620
6.

Geographically, the aridity of the Atacama desert is explained by its being situated between two mountain chains of sufficient height to prevent moisture advection from either the Pacific or the Atlantic Oceans, a two-sided rain shadow.

FactSnippet No. 765,621
7.

Perchlorates are found in the Atacama desert and associated nitrate deposits have contained organics, leading to speculation that signs of life on Mars are not incompatible with perchlorates.

FactSnippet No. 765,622
8.

The Atacama desert is a testing site for the NASA-funded Earth–Mars Cave Detection Program.

FactSnippet No. 765,623
9.

The less arid parts of the Atacama desert are inhabited by the South American gray fox and the viscacha .

FactSnippet No. 765,624
10.

Atacama desert is sparsely populated, with most towns located along the Pacific coast.

FactSnippet No. 765,625
11.

The dunes of the Atacama desert are ideal rally races located in the outskirts of the city of Copiapo.

FactSnippet No. 765,626
12.

Week-long foot race called the Atacama desert Crossing has the competitors cross the various landscapes of the Atacama desert.

FactSnippet No. 765,627
13.

The Atacama Desert is in the top three tourist locations in Chile.

FactSnippet No. 765,628