The Atacama Salt Flat is located in a sunken area formed by the rising of the Andes and Domeyko mountain ranges. The lowered area then was covered by a layer of volcanic material.
Over the years, a salt deposit with a maximum depth of 1,430 meters (4,757 ft) was formed on this sunken central area. This deposit originated from the precipitation of salts and minerals washed from the hills by the water flowing from the Andes toward the lowered part.
In the past, during very humid seasons, superficial lagoons were formed and when its waters evaporated the salts precipitated to the bottom. In drier periods, such as the present one, these salts crystallized on the surface due to the evaporation of brine from the Salt Flat core.
The core is composed of halite (NaCI) and it is characterized by presenting a rugged crust, similar to the one observed in the Soncor Sector. In other sectors there are other kinds of crusts, some of them with hexagonal shapes cause by the fissures produced on the Salt Flat surface when it dries.
Los Flamencos National Reserve salt flat and lagoon
Pin this!
𧑠Any comments? I would love to hear them! Please leave your comments below.
π If you like this article, please consider sharing it with your friends.
π Please support me by clicking on one of the ads on this page. Thank you! π
π You can also find me on Instagram, Youtube, and Pinterest.
