CLIMATE OF THE ATACAMA

Did you notice how the clouds hug the coastline so exactly . The rain that would change the climate of the land mostly falls at sea instead. Largely this is caused by the cold waters of the Humboldt current just off shore. The temperature change causes most of the clouds and the rain to occur over the ocean instead of over the land.

OTHER EXAMPLES FROM THE GEOCAM IMAGES

THE BAJA

A similar pattern of clouds 'avoiding the land was photographed at the Baja peninsula of Mexico. The Baja is also noted for it's arid and inhospitable climate.

THE SKELETON COAST OF NAMIBIA

The Skeleton Coast of Namibia presents an almost identical pattern half way around the world. The Atacam and the Skeleton Coast are two of the driest places on Earth. Both also share a cold offshore current. They also share frequent coastal fogs as are shown here. These fogs do provide just enough moisture to support a very narrow and very fragile ecosystem.

Lesson Plan on Namibian Ecosystem LIVING ON THE EDGE

CONTINUE ON TO

TRANSPORTATION

INDUSTRY

GEOLOGY

EXPLAIN A MYSTERY

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