Death Valley

Death Valley

Death Valley is a structural depression located mainly in Inyo County in southeastern California. It is the North American continent's lowest, hottest and driest portion. Death Valley is approximately 225 km long, roughly north-south oriented, and 8-24 km wide. The valley is bordered to the west by the Panamint Range and to the east by the Black, Funeral and Grapevine Mountains of the Amargosa Range. From a geological point of view, Death Valley is part of the southwestern Great Basin. It is similar to other structural basins in the region, but its depth is unique. Parts of the large salt pan that forms the valley floor are the lowest land areas in the Americas. An area of about 1425 square kilometers of the valley floor is below sea level. One of the points in the Badwater Basin, which lies 86 meters below sea level, is the lowest area in North America. Less than 30 kilometers west of here is Telescope Peak, the highest point in the area at 3,368 meters. Death Valley was an obstacle to the movements of pioneer settlers and later became a center for borax extraction. Today its extreme environment attracts tourists and scientists. The wildlife in the area is varied, although night-time habits hide many animals from the valley's visitors. Rabbits and several species of rodents, among them Antelope Ground Squirrels, Kangaroo Rats and Desert Wood Rats, are also present and become prey for coyotes, foxes and bobcats. The largest native mammal in the area, and probably the best-studied member of the fauna, is the desert Bighorn Sheep.