El Nino Effect.. Colourful Flowers Bloom Across the Desert!

Chile’s Atacama Desert, one of the driest places on Earth, has been transformed into a spectacular carpet of colourful flowers. Unusually heavy rainfall associated with El Nino conditions has triggered the germination of seeds and underground bulbs that had remained dormant for years. Vast stretches of the normally barren landscape are now covered with violet, white and other colourful blossoms in a rare phenomenon known as the “Flowering Desert” or “Desierto Florido.” Chile’s National Forestry Corporation says more than 200 plant species can emerge under suitable conditions.

Some parts of the Atacama region received more than 180 millimetres of rainfall this season, an exceptional amount for the extremely arid area. The moisture penetrated deeper into the soil, creating conditions for dormant seeds and bulbs to germinate. The flowering has also brought renewed activity among insects, birds and other wildlife. According to Chile’s National Forestry Corporation, the phenomenon is expected to reach its peak in October, attracting visitors from within Chile and abroad to witness the unusual natural spectacle.