Laguna Socompa

It is a small lake at the foot of Socompa volcano in Salta Province (Argentina)and located at an elevation of 3570 metres ( 11710 ft) above sea level in the Argentinean Andean volcanic system, the hydrothermal water is 26°C.

The lake features the world’s highest known stromatoliths, mineralized structures formed by microorganisms.

The lake is part of the cold, dry Argentinean Puna where temperatures vary strongly between day and night and precipitation only occurs in summer. In summer temperatures range from 20 to −10 °C (68 to 14 °F) and in winter from 10 to −20 °C (50 to −4 °F). [14] The region has the highest solar flux in the world, including the largest amount of ultraviolet radiation.

The small lakes in the Puna desert are influenced by extreme environmental conditions such as large amounts of toxic elements such as arsenic, high salinity and strong ultraviolet radiation as the ozone column is less dense at high elevations; these lakes in general receive more insolation than any other place on Earth. Because of the dry climate, most of the lakes lose water mainly through evaporation and thus tend to accumulate salt and arsenic.

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Relatos fotográficos de mi expedicion a la Puna Argentina.

Photo with iPhone6

Some Sources:

https://wikimili.com/en/Laguna_Socompa
https://wikimili.com/en/Stromatolite
https://mapcarta.com/20016024