Australia - the driest continent on Earth

The six continents of the Earth are absolutely different from each other. For example, in Eurasia - the most diverse climatic conditions in the world. The climate is characterized by the hottest continent - Africa, the coldest - Antarctica. The wettest continent is South America. But Australia is the driest continent on Earth.

Causes of low rainfall

Australia is almost in half divided by the southern tropic. This means that tropical air prevails here. In most of the continent, dry and hot tropical masses are held throughout the year, so there is very little precipitation. Over the tropics in both hemispheres of the Earth regions of increased atmospheric pressure are formed. In them the air descends and becomes drier, which leads to constant clear weather and almost complete absence of precipitation.

In most of Australia, precipitation during the year drops no more than 250 mm per year. This is several times less than in the suburbs. And given that the climate of Australia is much warmer, you can understand that the dryness of the air here is much more than we have.

There is another reason that this is the driest continent on Earth. These are mountains in the east of the continent. In Australia, trade winds operate, winds blowing from the tropics to the equator. They are directed from the Pacific Ocean to the mainland. Meeting on its way mountains, air masses rise up the slope, spilling rain on the east coast. And in the inner regions the air comes already desiccated and does not give precipitation.

Consequences of dry climate

As a result of the aridity of the climate in the prevailing part of Australia, there are deserts and semi-deserts. The most famous are the Great Victoria Desert, Big Sandy, Gibson, Simpson. And in the area of Lake Eyre, nicknamed "the dead heart of Australia," the precipitation does not exceed 125 mm. And the relative humidity of air here is no more than 20-30%.

Rivers in Australia are few. They basically originate from the Great Dividing Range. The largest - Murray with the main tributary - Darling. But there are rivers in the north of the continent, where the subequatorial climate dominates.

Flora and fauna of the driest continent on Earth

In such conditions, only adapted species of plants and animals survive that survive the dryness of the climate. In eucalyptus, dense leaves turn to the sun's rays to reduce evaporation. And long roots can extract water from a depth of tens of meters. There are also dwarf species of eucalyptus, and tall trees. The thickets of this plant are dangerous by frequent fires, since the essential oils contained in the leaves are easily self-igniting in conditions of heat and dryness.

In the deserts, also grasses (spinifex) and shrubs - acacia, various solianki, quinoa. The cactus of the prickly pear introduced in the 20th century quickly spread and became a malignant weed.

Of the inhabitants of the deserts the most interesting is moloch - a small lizard, all covered with growths and thorns. It is able to absorb moisture throughout the skin. Among other animals, there are various birds that feed on seeds of cereals, reptiles and insects.

Which continent is the most dry land?

It's a strange question, is not it? But the whole point is how to determine the most dry continent on Earth.

If you take the most arid place in the world, South America is breaking free. Here, in the coastal Atacama Desert, there is no precipitation for years. Virtually the only source of moisture is the fog associated with the cold Peruvian Current.

According to the average amount of precipitation, Antarctica can be attributed to the most dry continents. On its most part of the precipitation is not more than 100 mm per year, and they drop out in the form of "diamond dust" - small ice needles. But because of the exceptionally cold climate, snow accumulates, forming a glacial cover of the continent.

But among the places inhabited by man the most dry continent on Earth is Australia. Here, large reserves of groundwater are obtained, which are used both for irrigation and for flooding pastures.