Atacama Desert bursts with color in rare wildflower bloom

A rare desert phenomenon is occuring in Chile.

October 14, 2021, 5:51 PM

The Atacama Desert in northern Chile is considered the oldest and driest desert on the planet.

Every five to seven years, this arid land explodes with new plant life during a rare phenomenon called a desert bloom.

More than 200 types of wildflowers can grow in this desert, including the pink pata de guanaco and the yellow ananuca.

During a desert bloom, several thousand wildflowers blanket the area with color.

PHOTO: The Atacama desert bloom is shown in Copiapo, Chile, on Oct. 14, 2021. In the Atacama desert, the driest in the world, the phenomenon takes place from northern Vallenar to Copiapo.
The Atacama desert bloom is shown in Copiapo, Chile, on Oct. 14, 2021. In the Atacama desert, the driest in the world, the phenomenon takes place from northern Vallenar to Copiapo.
Martin Bernetti/AFP via Getty Images
PHOTO: Flowers bloom on the Atacama desert, some 600 km north of Santiago, Chile, on Oct. 13, 2021.
Flowers bloom on the Atacama desert, some 600 km north of Santiago, Chile, on Oct. 13, 2021.
Martin Bernetti/AFP via Getty Images
PHOTO: A woman strolls amid flowers blooming on the Atacama desert, some 600 km north of Santiago, Chile, on Oct. 13, 2021.
A woman strolls amid flowers blooming on the Atacama desert, some 600 km north of Santiago, Chile, on Oct. 13, 2021.
Martin Bernetti/AFP via Getty Images
PHOTO: Flowers bloom on the Atacama desert, some 600 km north of Santiago, Chile, on Oct. 13, 2021.
Flowers bloom on the Atacama desert, some 600 km north of Santiago, Chile, on Oct. 13, 2021.
Martin Bernetti/AFP via Getty Images
PHOTO: Flowers bloom on the Atacama desert, some 600 km north of Santiago, Chile, on Oct. 13, 2021.
Flowers bloom on the Atacama desert, some 600 km north of Santiago, Chile, on Oct. 13, 2021.
Martin Bernetti/AFP via Getty Images
PHOTO: A gigantic mantle of multicolored flowers covers the Atacama Desert, the driest in the world, on Oct. 13, 2021.
A gigantic mantle of multicolored flowers covers the Atacama Desert, the driest in the world, on Oct. 13, 2021.
Martin Bernetti/AFP via Getty Images