During the Summer, when evaporation levels are at their highest, the flats become completely white and otherworldly, so it’s no surprise really that they’ve provided the backdrop for a number of high profile Hollywood films including Independence Day and Pirates of the Caribbean 3: At World’s End. Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah, USA.Īt only 104 km 2, the Bonneville Salt Flats are by far the smallest on this list, but they’ve arguably seen the most action.
During these periods, it is typical for the area to become a breeding ground for flamingos, which flock to Etosha lake in their thousands. On the rare occasions when the area experiences heavy rainfall, water gathers on the surface of the Etosha pan, resulting in a lake about 10cm deep. The arid nature of the landscape means that very little flora or fauna survive, other than the blue-green algae which gives the salty crust its green tint. The name Etosha is a Ndonga phrase meaning ‘great white place’, which is certainly appropriate considering that this southern African salt pan covers a huge 4,800 km2, and is characterised by its white-greenish surface.
Here are a few highlights that are especially worth putting on your bucket list. There are a great number of salt flats to be found across the globe. In hot climates, the water gradually evaporates, leaving a breathtakingly dazzling carpet of glistening salt. A salt flat is a naturally occurring geographical formation in which an ancient sea has become land-locked.
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