Salt flowers blanket Death Valley, giving hottest place on Earth winter-wonderland look

A snow-like dusting at Death Valley National Park was caused by rain soaking into the soil and dissolving salt beneath the surface, rangers said.(M. Gage / National Park Service)

by: Los Angeles Times

Posted: Sep 16, 2021 / 04:17 PM PDT

Updated: Sep 16, 2021 / 04:17 PM PDT

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It’s a confounding image for those who know Death Valley as the hottest place on Earth.

The hills of the national park — typically scorched brown from the heat — are coated in a blanket of white in a photo posted to Facebook by the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Snow? In Death Valley?

Not at all. The winter-wonderland look depicts a phenomenon known as salt flowers, caused by recent rainfall, park officials said.

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