El Niño transforms Chile's Atacama Desert as thousands of hectares bloom
- Published on 23/09/2026 - 7:03 GMT+2•Updated 7:25 The Atacama Desert, one of the driest places on Earth, has changed appearance after heavy rains in northern Chile.
- Vast stretches of land that are normally parched have been carpeted with violet and white blossoms in a natural phenomenon known as the "flowering desert".
- Under the Atacama's soil, seeds and bulbs from around 200 different species lie dormant for long periods, waiting for the right conditions to germinate.
Confirmed
- Published on 23/09/2026 - 7:03 GMT+2•Updated 7:25 The Atacama Desert, one of the driest places on Earth, has changed appearance after heavy rains in northern Chile.
- Vast stretches of land that are normally parched have been carpeted with violet and white blossoms in a natural phenomenon known as the "flowering desert".
- Under the Atacama's soil, seeds and bulbs from around 200 different species lie dormant for long periods, waiting for the right conditions to germinate.
Sources: Euronews