How did Death Valley get so deep?

Caused by violent steam explosions, the craters formed as recently as 2,100 years ago when hot, molten material came in contact with groundwater. These large depressions show that Death Valley's geology is dynamic and ever changing. Death Valley's landscape has been changing for millions of years.

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Did Death Valley used to be under water?

Myth 4: There's No Water

Granted, Death Valley used to be much, much wetter. In fact, a 100-mile-long, 600-foot-deep body of water named Lake Manly inundated the valley during the Ice Age. More recently a series of shallower lakes have also occasionally filled the valley.

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How was Death Valley geologically formed?

A type of fault activity called block faulting, in which the movement is predominantly vertical, began to form the valley about 30 million years ago. As crustal blocks sank, they formed the great trough of the valley, and other blocks were uplifted to gradually form the adjacent mountain ranges.

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How deep is the Death Valley?

Death Valley is the lowest point in North America.

At 282 feet below sea level, Badwater Basin is a surreal landscape that tricks the senses. What many visitors mistake for snow covering the ground is actually a thick layer of salt on the valley floor.

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When did Death Valley dry up?

Lake Manly was the largest of these lakes; it filled Death Valley during each glacial period from 240,000 years ago to 10,000 years ago. By 10,500 years ago these lakes were increasingly cut off from glacial melt from the Sierra Nevada, starving them of water and concentrating salts and minerals.

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Death Valley: One of the Most Extreme Places on Earth

44 related questions found

What is underneath Death Valley?

Located in southern Nevada, the “hole” itself is a fissure in the earth's surface that split open 60,000 years ago to reveal an astonishing underworld: a water-filled limestone cavern. Ironically, beneath the hottest, driest place in the Western Hemisphere stretches a vast aquifer system.

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Has it ever snowed in Death Valley?

But the unprecedented day in 1922 was the only time a measurable amount has ever fallen. According to data from the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Death Valley snow was observed at a weather station situated at Greenland Ranch on Jan. 29, 1922, when a half-inch was recorded.

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Do any animals live in Death Valley?

Life in Death Valley

Coyotes, ravens, roadrunners, ground squirrels and lizards are the most commonly seen wildlife of the region, but there are many species who thrive here, hidden or unnoticed by visitors.

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How long can a person last in Death Valley?

As the film says, Death Valley is not a place you want to be without water, as while a human can survive three days without water, in this desert you can live just 14 hours.

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Can you walk in Death Valley?

Most hiking routes in the park are cross-country, up canyons, or along ridges. The best time to hike in Death Valley is from November through March. Summer temperatures can be dangerous in the park's lower elevations. Even during spring and autumn the heat can be unbearable for most people.

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Does anything grow in Death Valley?

Death Valley has more than 1,000 described plant species ranging from ancient bristlecone pines to ephemeral spring wildflowers. Despite its reputation as a lifeless wasteland, Death Valley National Park contains a great diversity of plants.

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Why do rocks in Death Valley move on their own?

Erosional forces cause rocks from the surrounding mountains to tumble to the surface of the Racetrack. Once on the floor of the playa the rocks move across the level surface leaving trails as records of their movements. Some of the moving rocks are large and have traveled as far as 1,500 feet.

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Can you swim in Death Valley?

NO SWIMMING - this water is the drinking source for Panamint Springs Resort. Note: pets are not allowed on any trail in Death Valley National Park, even if carried. Do not leave your animal in your vehicle. Speak with a ranger about one of the incredible dirt roads where you may walk your pet.

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Were any movies filmed in Death Valley?

Death Valley National Park

Parts of "Return of the Jedi," "Kill Bill: Vol. 2" and many other classic movies including "Jonathan Livingston Seagull," "The Greatest Story Ever Told," "King Solomon's Mines," "Spartacus" and "Tarzan" were also shot in Death Valley.

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Do snakes live in Death Valley?

Mojave rattlesnake

Chiefly inhabits upland desert and mountain slopes but ranges from sea level to 8,000 feet. Considered rare in Death Valley and restricted to the southern half of the park.

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Can you sleep in Death Valley?

Camping. Death Valley has a variety of campgrounds from primitive to full hook-up.

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Can you go to Death Valley alone?

Death Valley is the largest US national park outside of Alaska, encompassing over 3,000 square miles of desert in California and Nevada. You can drive for hours without seeing a single car or human, just endless expanses of sand and rock with nothing man-made in sight.

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Can you drink in Death Valley?

You can get drinking water easily and for free in Death Valley. Nobody tells you how surprisingly easy it is to get drinking water in America's hottest place.

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What is the largest animal in Death Valley?

The largest native mammal in the area, and perhaps the best-studied member of the fauna, is the desert bighorn. Small herds of these sheep are most commonly found in the mountains surrounding Death Valley, but they occasionally visit the valley floor.

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What is the apex predator in Death Valley?

Mountain Lion

Mountain Lions are apex predators in Death Valley. The mountain lion is the apex predator of Death Valley. It usually inhabits the desert's mountains but occasionally comes to the oasis. This big cat easily adapts to various environments and prefers to stalk its prey from rocks.

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Does it rain in Death Valley?

The National Weather Service initially reported 1.46 inches of rain, which was recorded by an automated gauge. The agency now recognizes 1.70 inches, recorded manually by National Park Service rangers, as the more reliable number. This is three-quarters of Death Valley's 2.20-inch average annual rainfall.

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Why does Death Valley get so cold at night?

The valley is narrow, trapping any air from circulating in or out. There's also little vegetation to absorb the sun's rays, and there's a desert nearby. Winter temperatures, however, can actually get quite cold because the desert does not retain heat when the surrounding air cools off.

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What is the hottest Death Valley has ever gotten?

Of note: Death Valley holds the world record for hottest temperature ever at 134°F, which was measured back in July 1913.

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Why does Death Valley get no rain?

Death Valley is dry because it sits in the rainshadow of four major mountain ranges to the west (Sierra Nevada, White/Inyo Mountains, the Argus Range, and the Panamint Range).

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