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Death Valley

26th July, 2024

Death Valley

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Context:  Ninety-seven runners started the world's toughest 48-hour foot race in Death Valley.

Details

Location

  • Eastern California, USA

Also Known as

  • Land of extremes: It is the lowest, hottest, and driest place of the North America.

Surrounded by

  • Mojave Desert in south , bordering the Great Basin Desert.

Area

  • 5,262 square miles.

National Park

  • Declared a national park on October 31, 1994.

Geological features

  •  Lowest  point is -282 feet at Badwater.
  • The highest point in Death Valley is 11,049 feet on Telescope Peak.
  • Formed by a series of fault systems, including the well-known Death Valley Faults.
  • Known for its expansive salt flats, such as those found in Badwater Basin.
  • Colorful rock formations, canyons, alluvial fans, and volcanic features.
  • Playas are dry lakebeds that form in the valley, such as Racetrack Playa.
  • Ubehebe Crater is a large volcanic crater located in the northern part of Death Valley.
  • Zabriskie Point, is a badland topography.
  • Home  to Golden Canyon and Mosaic Canyon.

Climate

  • Experiences an extremely hot and arid climate, with minimal rainfall and high temperatures during the summer months.

Wildlife

  • Endemic Animal: Devil’s Hole Pupfish, Cottonball Marsh Pupfish, Saratoga Spring, Pupfish, Salt Creek Pupfish.  
  • Plants: Shining Milkvetch, Napkin Ring Buckwheat , Panamint Mountains Bedstraw.

More about : https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/badwater-basin-in-death-valley

Sources:

Outlook.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.  How many of the following pairs are correctly matched?

1.       Mojave desert – North America

2.       Kalahari desert – South Africa

3.       Tanami – Argentina

4.       Simpson –Australia

Choose the correct answer using the codes given below

A.      Only one

B.      Only two

C.      Only three

D.      None

Answer  C