How rain reaches the Atacama Desert (IMAGE) University of Cologne Caption The Atacama Desert is the driest region on Earth with annual precipitation rates below 2 l/m² . Dr Christoph Böhm from the University of Cologne’s Institute of Geophysics and Meteorology has identified moisture conveyor belts (MCBs) as the main mechanism for precipitation. Credit Jan Voelkel, University of Cologne Usage Restrictions none License Original content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.