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In the Atacama Desert, moisture primarily comes from coastal fog known as "camanchaca," which forms when humid air from the Pacific Ocean meets the cooler air over the desert. This fog condenses and drips down, providing a minimal but crucial source of water for the ecosystem. Additionally, occasional rainfall can occur, though it is extremely rare and insufficient to significantly alter the desert's arid conditions. Other sources of moisture include groundwater and the rare melting of nearby snowcaps during certain seasons.
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What formed the Atacama Desert?
The Andes Mountains are primarily responsible for the Atacama Desert. The mountains form a barrier to moisture from the Atlantic Ocean from crossing, forming a rain shadow desert.
One reason there is a desert in Peru is?
The Andes Mountains prevent moisture from reaching the area of the Atacama Desert.
Why is the driest desert is located in northern Chile?
The driest desert is Antarctica with the Atacama a close second. The Atacama is a rain shadow desert. The Andes Mountains block moisture from the Amazon Basin and the Atlantic from crossing so no rain falls in the Atacama.
What shields the Atacama Desert from receiving rain?
The Andes Mountains and the Coastal Range shield the Atacama from receiving significant atmospheric moisture.
Which deserts are located in Chile?
The large desert in northern Chile is the Atacama Desert. The Atacama is the driest non-polar desert in the world.
What bacteria are in the Atacama Desert?
In most areas of the Atacama there is not enough moisture in the soil to support any microbial life forms. When NASA was testing their Mars Rovers in the Atacama their instruments could not detect any life, bacteria or otherwise, in the soil of the desert.
Is San Pedro De Atacama in the Atacama desert?
Yes it is located in the Atacama Desert.
What is the climate of the Atacama Desert?
The Atacama Desert is a cool, exceedingly dry desert.
How did the guanaco adapt to the environment of the Atacama Desert?
Few guanacos live in the actual Atacama Desert. Those few that are found there have adapted to feeding on lichens and blooms from cacti. They are able to survive on the moisture taken in from these plants.
What kind of desert is the Atacama?
The Atacama is a cold coastal desert.
What its the desert in northern Chile?
The Atacama Desert is located in northern Chile, southern Peru and small parts of Bolivia and Argentina.
What cold current passes through the Atacama's desert?
No current passes through the Atacama Desert but the Humbolt, or Peruvian Current, passes just off shore and has a great influence on the climate of the Atacama.
