Argentina - Salinas Grandes (Jujuy)

Salinas Grandes is a salt flat/lake with a surface of approximately 220 km2 on the border of the provinces of Jujuy and Salta in northwest Argentina. The ‘salar’ lies at an elevation of more than 3.500 metres above sea level. It has a drainage basin extending over 4.600 km2.

The origin of Salinas Grandes dates from an extended period of time between 5 and 10 million years ago, when the basin was covered with water with a large amount of salts coming from volcanic activity. The gradual evaporation of such continental saline waters gave rise to this salt having a thick crust.