Scientists solve mystery of salt deserts' honeycomb patterns

Badwater Basin in Death Valley, California. Scientists have solved the riddle of the mysterious honeycomb patterns found in salt deserts across the world. Picture: Lucas Goehring/Nottingham Trent University/PA Wire

Scientists have solved the riddle of the mysterious honeycomb patterns found in salt deserts across the world.

These places are among some of the most extreme and inhospitable on Earth, and their odd polygon-shaped structures attract hundreds of thousands of tourists every year.