Death Valley

Death Valley is a deep arid basin in the northern Mojave Desert of southern California in the United States, extending for approximately 140 mi (225 km) along the California-Nevada border approximately 100 mi (160 km) west of Las Vegas. Famous for its brutal extremes of heat, the valley floor at Badwater Basin is the location of the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere (36° 13' 58? N 116° 46' 42? W), at 282 feet (86 m) below sea level. The entire valley is located within Death Valley National Park.

Death Valley, the lowest point in the United States at 282 feet (86 meters) below sea level, is the white area at the northern end of this graben. In contrast, the brown Panamint Mountains that border Death Valley on the west have a series of ridge lines that exceed 7000 feet (2135 meters) and a maximum peak of 11 048 feet (3365 meters). A series of alluvial fans flanks the Panamints’ eastern side, and an elongated, tan, dry lakebed lies just west of the mountain range.

The valley is located southeast of the Sierra Nevada range in the Great Basin. It is bounded on the east by the Grapevine Mountains, Funeral Mountains, and Amargosa Range. It is bounded on the west by the Cottonwood Mountains and the Panamint Range. The geological configuration is considered one of the best examples of the Basin and Range configuration.

The valley radiates extreme amounts of heat, allowing for temperatures that are among the hottest on earth. The hottest temperature recorded in the U.S., and the second hottest in the world, was 134°F (56.7°C) at Greenland Ranch near the valley on July 10, 1913. The highest average high temperature in July is 116°F (46.7°C), with temperatures of 120°F (48.9°C) or higher very common. The valley receives less than 2 in (5 cm) of rain annually. The Amargosa River and Furnace Creek flow through the valley, disappearing into the sands of the valley floor.

While there is very little rain in Death Valley, the valley is prone to flooding during heavy rains, because the soil is unable to absorb the bulk of the water. The runoff can produce dangerous flash floods. In August 2004 such flooding occurred, causing two deaths and shutting down the national park.

During the late Pleistocene, the valley was indundated by prehistoric Lake Manly. The valley received its name in 1849 during the California gold rush by emigrants who sought to cross the valley on their way to the gold fields. During the 1850s, gold and silver were extracted in the valley. In the 1880s borax was discovered and extracted by mule-drawn wagons.

Death Valley Links

Death Valley National Park
Named features on maps of Death Valley include the Funeral Mountains, Coffin Peak, Hell's Gate, Starvation Canyon and Dead Man Pass...

Death Valley
Despite its reputation as arid, barren and void of life, nothingdeathvalley2.jpg (43007 bytes) could be further from the truth. Death Valley is actually a fascinating and beautiful place to visit, filled with historic sites, unique natural areas and a remarkable array of recreational opportunities.

Virtual Field Trip: Death Valley
Death Valley is a mecca for nature lovers of all kinds. For geologists, this region is unsurpassed in beauty and complexity...

Death Valley Virtual Geology Field Trip
This field trip will take you to just a few of Death Valley's geological wonders. Most of the sites you'll see are right off the highway, but we've included a few side trips that take you off the beaten path.

Death Valley National Park Page
Dedicated to providing information on Death Valley National Park. It is our intent to provide information that will be timely and of assistance in planning a trip, vacation or obtaining data about this park.

Death Valley Moving Rocks
It was a challenge to get information on the moving rocks at Death Valley.

There's Life in Death Valley
There is abundant life in what many consider to be a desolate wasteland. The life is subtle, and tolerant of the arid and saline conditions, but it is there.

Seismic depth imaging of normal faulting in the southern Death Valley basin
Death Valley is a region of active extension and Quaternary volcanism. It is located in eastern California between the Panamint Mountains on the west and the Black Mountains on the east, within the southwestern portion of the Basin and Range province...

Death Valley Attraction
Death Valley National Park has more than 3.3 million acres of spectacular desert scenery, interesting and rare desert wildlife, complex geology, undisturbed wilderness, and sites of historical and cultural interest. Bounded on the west by 3,600 m. Telescope Peak and on the east by Dante's View, Badwater is the lowest point (-94 m.) in the western hemisphere.

The Mystery Rocks at Death Valley by Lena Fletcher and Anne Nester
Actively studied for 50 years, the rocks that mysteriously move around the dried lake bed playa in Death Valley, called the Racetrack, are yet to have an unquestionable explanation for their movement.

Death Valley National Park
Enjoy Springtime in California’s Desert Wonderland.

Golden Gate Photo: Death Valley Gallery
Fine Art Photography from Death Valley National Park, California.