Salar Ignorado

Salar Ignorado
At the top, the third one.
Salar Ignorado
Coordinates	25°29′52″S 68°37′17″W / 25.49778°S 68.62139°W / -25.49778; -68.62139[1]

Salar Ignorado is a salar (salt flat) in the Andes of Chile's Atacama Region at 4,250 metres (13,940 ft) elevation. Located just south of Cerro Bayo volcano, it comprises 0.7 square kilometres (0.27 sq mi) of salt flats, sand dunes and numerous pools of open water. The waters of Salar Ignorado, unlike these of other salt flats in the central Andes, are acidic owing to the input of sulfuric acid from hydrothermal water and the weathering of volcanic rocks.

The salt flat is located in a harsh climate with strong winds, large temperature fluctuations, intense insolation and aridity. Gypsum crystals develop in the pools of water and are redeposited by wind to form the dunes. Liquids and microorganisms are occasionally trapped within the crystals. The environment of Salar Ignorado has drawn comparisons to early Earth.