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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Jessica Hill

Once-in-a-decade phenomenon sees flowers bloom in driest place in North America

A person looks closely in a field of wildflowers during a superbloom, Saturday, March 7, 2026, in Death Valley National Park, Calif. (AP Photo/John Locher) - (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Death Valley, typically known as North America's driest expanse, is currently experiencing a rare "superbloom" of wildflowers, transforming its arid landscape into a vibrant carpet of gold. This once-in-a-decade phenomenon sees the normally brown desert burst with life.

While parts of southern California and Nevada often witness wildflower blooms annually, and some superblooms are so extensive they are visible from space, it is highly unusual for Death Valley National Park – the hottest place on Earth – to display such an explosion of colour.

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