Dry Valleys on Antarctic continent is the driest place in the world

The Sahara Desert is the largest desert in the world, rainfall is very low, only stretches of sand and rocks without rivers and plants further strengthen the view of drought. However, it turns out that the place is not the driest place in the world. Dry Valleys in Antarctica, although the continent is covered in ice, but has one part that is completely dry.

Although the average rainfall in most of the Sahara Desert is less than 20 millimeters per year, there are still drier places. Dry Valleys in Antarctica is much drier where the average rainfall is 0 millimeters per year and gets the title of the driest place in the world.

The valleys have so low humidity that there is almost no ice. This is the largest ice free place on the Antarctic continent. The area is surrounded by mountains that block ice from flowing into the valley.

Drought is also caused by strong katabalic gusts from mountain peaks where cold air blows down the hill due to gravity. The wind has speeds of up to 322 kilometers per hour and causes the layers of water, ice, and snow to evaporate, making it even more dry.

The uniqueness of Dry Valleys is considered to be very similar to the landscape on the surface of Planet Mars. The scientists continued to research the Dry Valleys ecosystem to better understand the condition of the Red Planet.

Sea almond (Terminalia catappa)

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Purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus)

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