Salda Lake

Salda Lake

Located in the closed basin in Yeþilova District of Burdur Province, 184 meters deep Salda Lake is a highly alkaline lake with an area of 44 km2 without an outflow. Salda Lake, located between the Taurus Mountains at an altitude of 1193 meters from the sea, has a very rich structure in terms of magnesium, and the beach of the lake has a white color due to the magnesium in the water.

The most important feature that distinguishes Salda Lake from other lakes; It has a geobiochemical ecological process suitable for stromatolite formation. At the end of this process; At the bottom, stromatolites with white colored hydromagnesia are formed. Various sources indicate that these deposits, formed as a result of the climate, geological structures and interaction of bacteria and Cyanobacteria, first started to form on earth 3.5 billion years ago. In a sense, they are considered to be the oldest fossils. Modern stromatolite formations, which are current examples of these fossils, are observed in Lake Salda.

Understanding the formation mechanisms of stromatolites, which are thought to contain important data on early life styles and primitive living conditions, and the geobiochemical factors that control these processes; It is thought by many researchers that it will give important information about the beginning of life in the world. On the other hand, many authorities also expect important consequences for life outside of Earth. The similarities between the hydromagnetic stromatolites currently formed in Salda Lake and the carbonate-containing rocks on Mars are also featured in current publications, which also draws attention of NASA.

The fact that the current stromatolite formations in Salda Lake are a rare example in the world and the lake has ecological uniqueness with this aspect, it is necessary to protect Salda Lake absolutely and meticulously.