4 Fun Facts You Didn’t Know About The Mojave Desert
Dry, vast, and mysterious — the Mojave desert stretches across much of Southern California, Southern Nevada, Southwestern Utah, and Western Arizona. Its beautiful landscape and geographical features make it one of the most unique places on the planet, so we are extremely lucky to call it the home of Coalesce.
Before we begin it’s essential to express that the land where we celebrate Coalesce was originally inhabited by the Yuhaaviatam/Maarenga’yam (Serrano) and Newe Segobia (Western Shoshone) tribes. We recognize that the land does not belong to us and we vow to honor the Indigenous People and their connections to the earth in every step of planning our gathering. We challenge you to click through to their websites to learn more about their past ways of life and how you can support tribe members today!
Now let’s dive into some fun facts about our favorite place on the planet…
It’s F*cking Hot!
Did you know that the hottest air and surface temperatures ever recorded on earth were in the Mojave Desert? Yep, that’s right! A whopping 134ºF air temperature was recorded back in July 2013, and a 201ºF surface temperature was recorded in July 1972, both in Furnace Creek, Death Valley. After reading that we bet you have a new-found appreciation for the usual 30ºF temperatures that we brave during our New Years gathering!
UNDER THE SEA [Level]
Did you know part of the Mojave desert is the lowest point in all of North America? Not counting anything underwater, of course! But still. Badwater Basin in Death Valley has an elevation of 279ft below sea level. For reference, Big Bear Lake is only 72ft deep and Lake Tahoe is 1,644ft deep!
I Like Turtles
Ok, not a turtle, but a relative! The iconic Desert Tortoise has existed in the Mojave Desert for centuries, but is now unfortunately facing endangerment. Check out the Defenders and learn about their efforts to help save this beloved creature.
BONUS: What is the biggest threat to the Desert Tortoise population?
Ravens
Humans
Trash
All of the above
[*Answer below]
Size Isn’t Everything
Coming in at 43,750 square miles, the Mojave desert is actually the smallest in the United States. The Mojave Desert is situated in a transitional zone between the Great Basin Desert to the north and the Sonoran Desert to the south (mainly between 34 and 38°N latitudes).
*The answer is D, all of the above. Over the past few decades of people enjoying the Mojave Desert, lots of trash and MOOP (Matter Out Of Place) has been left behind, and as a result of this trash the raven populations have spiked enormously. Ravens are one of the biggest threats facing the Desert Tortoises today. We all need to do our part when we enjoy this beautiful desert and realize the impact we can have.
