Laguna Miscanti | |
---|---|
Location | Antofagasta Region |
Coordinates | 23°43′30″S 67°45′54″W / 23.725°S 67.765°W |
Basin countries | Chile |
Surface area | 13.5 km2 (5.2 sq mi) |
Surface elevation | 4,140 m (13,580 ft)[1] |
Laguna Miscanti is a brackish water lake located in the altiplano of the Antofagasta Region in northern Chile. Cerro Miñiques volcano and Cerro Miscanti tower over this lake. This 13.5 square kilometres (5.2 sq mi) large heart-shaped lake has a deep blue colour and developed in a basin formed by a fault. South of Miscanti lies Laguna Miñiques, another lake which is separated from Miscanti by a lava flow that was emplaced there during the Pleistocene.
The lake is part of one of the seven sectors of Los Flamencos National Reserve. A number of birds and mammals live at the lake, which is a major tourist destination.