A Visual Journey: Bolivian Salt Lakes Viewed from Space

In southwest Bolivia, near the crest of the Andes Mountains, lies a landscape of salt flats and lakes that captivates the eye. This stunning image, captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite in April 2024, showcases the Oruro Department towards the southern end of the Altiplano, a vast high plain stretching almost 1000 km from Peru to Bolivia.

Using the near-infrared channel for processing, this false-color image presents a unique perspective on the region. Vegetation appears vibrant in shades of red, providing a stark contrast to the arid and saline soils dominating the landscape. The Altiplano was once part of a gigantic lake that vanished about 40,000 years ago, leaving behind two prominent salt flats: Uyuni and Coipasa, both visible in the bottom-left corner of the image. These salt flats serve as a reminder of the area’s ancient aquatic history.

Additionally, two lakes, Poopó and Uru Uru, emerged after the disappearance of the giant lake. Lake Poopó is the larger of the two bodies of water and covers approximately 1000 sq km. It is a saline lake and, being an endorheic basin, loses water primarily through evaporation. However, despite its vastness, Lake Poopó maintains an average depth of only 3 meters, making its water level incredibly sensitive to changes. This sensitivity is evident in the image as parts of the lakebed surrounding the water appear grey and desiccated. Over the past few decades, Lake Poopó has experienced complete evaporations on certain occasions. These devastating events have had catastrophic consequences for the region’s flora, fauna, and economy.

Taking a closer look at Lake Poopó, we can observe its primary tributary, the Desaguadero River. As it flows northward into the lake, the vivid blue waters of the river mingle and create a stunning spectacle of different hues of green. This striking visual demonstrates the intricate interactions between different water bodies within the region.

Moving north of Lake Poopó, we encounter Uru Uru Lake, characterized by its predominantly red surface. This crimson hue hints at the presence of abundant vegetation inhabiting its shallow waters. Uru Uru Lake serves as a testament to the resilience of life, even in challenging environments.

The Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite plays an important role in monitoring and studying the lakes and salt flats of southwest Bolivia. With its frequent revisits over the same area and high-resolution cameras working in 13 spectral bands, it provides scientists with valuable data on pollution levels in lakes, variations in water levels, differences in sparsely vegetated regions, and even the mineral composition of the soil. This information is essential for understanding the complex dynamics of these unique ecosystems and for tracking their health and wellbeing over time.

As we marvel at the beauty and intricacy of this satellite image, we are reminded of the delicate balance that sustains our planet’s varied landscapes. Through continuous scientific exploration and monitoring, we can strive to protect and preserve these natural wonders for generations to come.