Superbloom in Carrizo Plain National Monument, California, United States

© Robb Hirsch/TANDEM Stills + Motio

Burst of blooms. Superbloom in Carrizo Plain National Monument, California, United States

It's not every day you see a desert burst into colour, but during a superbloom, the arid land is covered with endless stretches of flowers. This rare phenomenon happens in California and Arizona when the rainy season awakens wildflower seeds that have been lying dormant in the soil. Superblooms in California typically occur once a decade, but prolonged droughts in the 21st century have made them increasingly less frequent.

Drawing attention to California's diverse flora and rural federal lands, this event offers a temporary boost to local economies. One of the best spots to witness this spectacular scene is Carrizo Plain National Monument, featured in today's image. A vast enclosed grassland in southeastern San Luis Obispo County, California, this spot is approximately 50 miles long and 15 miles wide. Here, the hills of the Temblor and Caliente Ranges, along with the valley floor near Soda Lake, transform into a patchwork of colourful wildflowers. Have you ever had the chance to see a superbloom?