Plants in American desert or desert-like areas have evolved to make the most of their challenging environment. In the spring, when they receive moisture, they spring into action.
Chajnantor is high and dry - perfect for picking up microwaves. This selection is also particularly appropriate, for mankind has been exploiting the aridity of the Atacama desert for millennia.
Move suddenly, and bright spots blur your vision before you start to stagger and retch. This is Chajnantor, the most inhospitable portion of Chile's Atacama desert, and one of the world's most arid places.
Chajnantor in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile is hostile, threatening, and... a great place to view outer space because there is no humidity in the air.
Out in the desert, archaeologists have also found the 2,000-year-old remains of an extensive system of mud brick aqueduct which enabled the Moche to tame their desert environment. Many are still in use today.
In the hot, expansive Karakum desert is a hole that has been on fire for 40 years. Known as the "Gates of Hells" by locals, the crater can be seen glowing for miles around.
Plants in American desert or desert-like areas have evolved to make the most of their challenging environment. In the spring, when they receive moisture, they spring into action.
Plants in American desert or desert-like areas have evolved to make the most of their challenging environment. In the spring, when they receive moisture, they spring into action.
Plants in American desert or desert-like areas have evolved to make the most of their challenging environment. In the spring, when they receive moisture, they spring into action.
Officials in Zhengzhou wanted to build an artificial lake on the outskirts of the city but it all went wrong. The source of water they intended to use dried up and the sand destined for the artificial beach became a desert!
Officials in Zhengzhou wanted to build an artificial lake on the outskirts of the city but it all went wrong. The source of water they intended to use dried up and the sand destined for the artificial beach became a desert!
Officials in Zhengzhou wanted to build an artificial lake on the outskirts of the city but it all went wrong. The source of water they intended to use dried up and the sand destined for the artificial beach became a desert!
The city of Ordos was designed to be the crowning glory of Inner Mongolia, but it was doomed to incompletion. Now this futuristic metropolis rises empty out of the deserts of northern China.
The city of Ordos was designed to be the crowning glory of Inner Mongolia, but it was doomed to incompletion. Now this futuristic metropolis rises empty out of the deserts of northern China.
The city of Ordos was designed to be the crowning glory of Inner Mongolia, but it was doomed to incompletion. Now this futuristic metropolis rises empty out of the deserts of northern China.
Since the 2009 decampment of Africa’s famously grueling Dakar Rally to South America, the Toyota Kalahari Botswana 1000 Desert Race has taken its place as the continent’s premier off-road endurance contest.
Since the 2009 decampment of Africa’s famously grueling Dakar Rally to South America, the Toyota Kalahari Botswana 1000 Desert Race has taken its place as the continent’s premier off-road endurance contest.
Since the 2009 decampment of Africa’s famously grueling Dakar Rally to South America, the Toyota Kalahari Botswana 1000 Desert Race has taken its place as the continent’s premier off-road endurance contest.
Since the 2009 decampment of Africa’s famously grueling Dakar Rally to South America, the Toyota Kalahari Botswana 1000 Desert Race has taken its place as the continent’s premier off-road endurance contest.
Sociable weavers build huge communal nests, multistory apartment complexes, from sticks and grass. Trees aren't commonly available in the desert, but telephone poles allow the weavers to expand their range.
Sociable weavers build huge communal nests, multistory apartment complexes, from sticks and grass. Trees aren't commonly available in the desert, but telephone poles allow the weavers to expand their range.
Sociable weavers build huge communal nests, multistory apartment complexes, from sticks and grass. Trees aren't commonly available in the desert, but telephone poles allow the weavers to expand their range.
When infected by parasitic maggots of the scuttle fly, "zombees" apparently desert their hives at night and cluster near outdoor lights, wandering in increasingly erratic circles on the ground before dying.
When infected by parasitic maggots of the scuttle fly, "zombees" apparently desert their hives at night and cluster near outdoor lights, wandering in increasingly erratic circles on the ground before dying.
When infected by parasitic maggots of the scuttle fly, "zombees" apparently desert their hives at night and cluster near outdoor lights, wandering in increasingly erratic circles on the ground before dying.
Bone chips found on a deserted South Pacific island could be the remains of Amelia Earhart. Nearby were several tantalizing artifacts, including old makeup and glass bottles.
Bone chips found on a deserted South Pacific island could be the remains of Amelia Earhart. Nearby were several tantalizing artifacts, including old makeup and glass bottles.