Chile's Atacama Desert is considered the driest non-polar desert in the world, and now it is also one of the prettiest.
After heavy thunderstorms struck Chile in March and August of this year, thousands of flower seeds that were buried in the dry ground blossomed in the typically empty space. But the gorgeous flowers also come at a devastating cost.
The storms caused mudslides and nearby rivers to flood, killing 28 people and leaving thousands homeless. The Weather Channel reports that one day of rain produced the same amount as seven years worth of rain in the region.
The flowering desert is such a rare sight, many locals have never witnessed anything like it. According to AccuWeather, the blossoms only occur every five to 10 years because the area rarely experiences rain.
And like all flowers, these floral fields aren't going to last forever. The flowers are expected to start withering away later this month.
Fortunately, the Atacama desert is one of three naturally flowering deserts in the world. So if you don't get to see these blossoms in person, you can always book a flight to the other flowering deserts in Australia and the United States instead.
Take a look stunning pictures from the Atacama Desert here:
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