Earth's Lowest

Rock Bottom

As the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere,
Death Valley belongs to a world-wide geographic
rogues' gallery, whose members share these
defining features:

- To have exposed land below sea level, an
extremely dry climate is necessary. In wet
climates, low places fill with water and
overflow to the sea. A dry climate evaporates
water, leaving behind salt flats or briny lakes.

- Like most of these locations, Death Valley was
not created by a river's erosion. Movements in
the earth's crust have dropped it to such great
depths.

Below Sea Level

Look on the cliff behind you. Can you find the
sign that marks sea level? Sea level is the
average elevation of the world's ocean surface
and is the standard from which all other
elevations are measured. Regardless of tides,
"sea level" remains constant.

Badwater Basin
Death Valley
California
-282ft -85.5m

Salton Sea
California
-227ft -69m

Lago Enriquillo
Dominican Republic
-151ft -46m

Salinas Chicas
Peninsula Valdes
Argentina
-131ft -40m

Sebkhet Tah
Morroco
-180ft -55m

Chott Meirh
Algeria
-131ft -40m

Sabkhat
Ghurayyil
Libya
-154ft -47m

Quattaro
Depression
Egypt
-435ft -133m

Denakil
Ethopia
-410ft -125m

Caspian Sea
Central Asia
-92ft -28m

Dead Sea
Jordan
-1160ft -414m

Vpartina Knundy
Kazakstan
-413ft -132m

Vpartina Akchanaya
Turkmenistan
-265ft -81m

Turpan Pendi
China
-505ft -154m

Lake Eyre
Australia
-49ft -15m