By J.C. Lewis
Death Valley, California, is the lowest, hottest and driest place in the
United States. Death Valley was given its name by a group of pioneers who ventured through the area in 1849. Although only one in their party actually died, the rest of them were lucky to make it out alive given the extreme desert conditions there.
Death Valley Extremes: Elevation
The official lowest, hottest and driest point in Death Valley is Badwater Basin. At 282 feet below sea level, it has the lowest elevation in North America and the second-lowest in the western hemisphere.
Badwater Basin, the lowest point on the continent, is only 76 miles from the highest point in the contiguous states, Mount Whitney.
Death Valley Extremes: Climate
Death Valley reaches its hottest temperatures in July, with average high temperatures of 115° F (46° C).
In 2001, for over 154 consecutive days, the temperature in Death Valley was over 100° F.
There were 43 consecutive days with temperatures reaching over 120° F in 1917.
The hottest ground temperature recorded in Death Valley was 201° F, with the air temperature that day reaching 128° F.
Death Valley is so dry partly due to there being four mountain ranges between it and the ocean.
In 1929, Death Valley had zero rainfall.
National Park
Death Valley officially became a National Park in 1994, but has been federally protected as a national monument since 1933.
Death Valley National Park has 6,000 to 10,000 abandoned mines.
More than 1 million people visit Death Valley National Park annually.
Death Valley National Park has nine campsites ranging in elevation from 196 feet below to 8,200 feet above sea level.
Flora and Fauna
Death Valley in springtime has vast and colorful displays of wildflowers, especially after rainfall. There are over 50 plant species that don't grow anywhere else in the world.
Death Valley is home to kangaroo rats, which are well adapted to survive in the harsh desert environment. Kangaroo rats can live their whole lives without ever drinking: All the water they need comes from eating seeds.
Death Valley's Salt Creek contains a rare fish species called Pupfish, which can live in water that is up to 112° F and three times more salty than the ocean.
Natural Phenomena
A natural well in Death Valley named "Devil's Hole" sits on an earthquake fault line. Its water level has been altered by earthquakes as far away as Alaska and Pakistan.
Racetrack Playa, a seasonally dry lake in Death Valley, has a local phenomenon called "sliding stones". Stones there move independently across the ground for no known reason and leave trails behind them. Sometimes, the stones turn over by themselves.
Resources
About the Author:
J.C. Lewis is the editor and co-owner of a weekly newspaper, as well as a staffer and regular contributor to a group of three newspapers in Los Angeles, Calif. Her writing has appeared on USAToday.com, Hotels.com and various other websites. Lewis holds a Bachelor of Science in politics from the University of Bristol, England.
