Death Valley Came Back to Life, Again

Usually we talk about the destruction caused by global warming, but every so often, it causes something strange and beautiful.

Hiya!

Understandably, with the rise in intensity and frequency of climate disasters, people are becoming increasingly concerned about global warming — which is a good thing. We should be afraid. Yet, in a twisted sort of way, we’re lucky to witness such power displayed by Nature. Because despite our fears, we’re learning more than ever about our planet and how its (countless) systems work — all while witnessing events once thought to be myths.

We’re also reminded that sometimes, beauty evolves from disaster. That sounds poetic, and I suppose on a certain level it is, but in this case, I mean it literally. We’ve learned from history how landscapes change over time — like how the Saraha Desert used to be underwater — but rarely do we see transformation occur in our lifetimes.

Yet, that’s precisely what happened at Death Valley this year after monumental rainfall and destruction resulted in a burst of life in the hottest place on Earth.

Death Valley

If you don’t know, Death Valley is a National Park in California along the Nevada border. Although Death Valley National Park ranger and spokesperson Abby Wines told USA Today that “110,000 acres of the park (are) in Nevada. There are no paved roads in that section. Most people are in the California part.”

Death Valley is mainly known as the hottest place on Earth and the driest place in North America. Part of the park, called Furnace Creek, set the world record for the highest air temperature when it reached 134°F (57°C) on July 10, 1913.

While not quite that high, the National Parks Service reports that typical summer temperatures are known to “top 120°F (49°C) in the shade with overnight lows dipping into the 90s°F (mid-30s°C.)” Meanwhile, with an average annual rainfall of less than 2 inches (5 cm), the park receives just a fraction of rain compared to most deserts.

Like me, you might assume that these dreadful conditions inspired the disparaging name of Death Valley. However, according to the park,

“Death Valley was given its forbidding name by a group of pioneers lost here in the winter of 1849-1850. Even though, as far as we know, only one of the group died here, they all assumed that this valley would be their grave ... As the party climbed out of the valley over the Panamint Mountains, one of the men turned, looked back, and said ‘goodbye, Death Valley.’ ”

In fact, while summertime in Death Valley may resemble an inferno, the other seasons show a different, gentler side of the desert. Wildlife, including bighorn sheep, the desert tortoise, and jackrabbits, have adapted to the desert’s harsh conditions.

The Death Valley desert is even known to erupt in blooming wildflowers — but it only happens about once a decade when environmental conditions are just right. The previous three major blooming events were in 2016, 2005, and 1998. Now we can add 2023 to the list because “this year,” the park reports, “was an above average bloom year,” and it’s all thanks to the aftermath of a hurricane.