This section of the
United States is located in between the two major mountain ranges of North
America- the Rocky Mountains to the east and the sierra Nevada and Cascades to
the west. The weather in this region is very similar to California. Mountain
barriers block moisture from reaching places such as the Columbia Plain, eastern
Oregon, much of Idaho and Utah, the Colorado Plateau, and southeastern
California. Death Valley is located in the rain shadow of the Sierra Nevada
which only receives 3 inches of rain and is categorized as the driest area in
North America. According to The Geography of North America, rain shadow is
"the leeward areas below mountain crests that receive low average
rainfall. This region is popular for it camping and lodging. If interested in
visiting this area, it is recommended to travel within November to March due to
cooler temperatures.
For more
information on Death Valley Nation Park, visit:
Death valley also known located in
the Great Basin and considered a down faulted valley. Badwater in Death valley
is known as the lowest part of North America.
Badwater-
Death Valley
- The site itself consists of a
small spring-fed
pool of "bad water" next to the road in a sink;
the accumulated salts of
the surrounding basin make it undrinkable. Its name "bad water"
comes from its hazardous properties.
- The pool of water does have
animal and plant life.
- At Badwater, significant
rainstorms flood the valley bottom periodically.
- A popular site for tourists is
the sign marking "sea level" on the cliff above Badwater.
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