SEA LEVEL
All of the valley floor beyond the sign is below sea level due to the slow separation of two tectonic plates over millions of years. Death Valley is not only the lowest place in the western hemisphere, it is also the hottest place on Earth with summer daytime temperatures often topping 120 degrees with nighttime temperatures not falling below 100 degrees. A few months ago this whole area was carpeted with wildflowers. During the last ice age it was an enormous lake.
Later this day while travelling to an abandoned mining camp I got two flat tires at the same time on a particularly rocky stretch of road in middle of nowhere where it was 102 degrees with no shade.
To the right, more Death Valley photos from last week's trip >>
SEA LEVEL
All of the valley floor beyond the sign is below sea level due to the slow separation of two tectonic plates over millions of years. Death Valley is not only the lowest place in the western hemisphere, it is also the hottest place on Earth with summer daytime temperatures often topping 120 degrees with nighttime temperatures not falling below 100 degrees. A few months ago this whole area was carpeted with wildflowers. During the last ice age it was an enormous lake.
Later this day while travelling to an abandoned mining camp I got two flat tires at the same time on a particularly rocky stretch of road in middle of nowhere where it was 102 degrees with no shade.
To the right, more Death Valley photos from last week's trip >>