Laguna Verde, Bolivia
Posted by: 
Beeklust
S 22° 47.317 W 067° 49.078
19K E 621330 N 7479394
Laguna Verde (Spanish for "green lake") is a salt lake in an endorheic basin, in the southwestern Altiplano in Bolivia. It is located in the Sur Lípez Province of the Potosí Department. It is close to the Chilean border, at the foot of the volcano
Waymark Code: WM14AXM
Location: Bolivia
Date Posted: 06/01/2021
Views: 5
The Laguna Verde is a lake at 4,310 metres (14,140 ft) elevation. It covers an area of 7.5 square kilometres (2.9 sq mi) and has a depth of 5.4 metres (18 ft), and a narrow causeway divides it into two parts. It is at the southwestern extremity of the Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve and Bolivia itself. It has mineral suspensions of arsenic and other minerals which renders colour to the lake waters. Its color varies from turquoise to dark emerald depending on the disturbance caused to sediments in the lake by winds.
In the backdrop of the lake there is the inactive volcano Licancabur of 5,868 metres (19,252 ft) in elevation, which is a nearly perfect cone. The shorelines west and east of the lake have different characteristics, with the western and southern shores eroded into volcanoes. Geothermal heat warms waters that then emerge into Laguna Blanca through springs, the lakes are otherwise fed by snowfall. The catchment of the lake has an area of about 776 square kilometres (300 sq mi).
Laguna Verde, as the name suggests, is very, very green. And at times it looks… kind of toxic. Which is why flamingos choose not to feed in this particular lake.
Laguna Verde has high concentrations of lead, sulfur, arsenic and calcium carbonates, making it less than appealing to all but the most resilient extremophiles. And due to the high mineral content, the waters of Lake Verde can remain liquid at temperatures as low as -6.16 degrees Fahrenheit (-21.2 degrees Celsius). But these same minerals give the lake its fantastic green color, making it a hotspot for photographers and fans of strange scenery.
Laguna Verde has a typical green coloration (hence its name) owing to the high levels of magnesium in the water. The area around the lagoon is of volcanic origin with environmental temperatures ranging between -15 and 20?°C during the year.
Waymark is confirmed to be publicly accessible: yes
Access fee (In local currency): 175.00
Requires a high clearance vehicle to visit.: no
Requires 4x4 vehicle to visit.: yes
Public Transport available: no
Website reference: [Web Link]
Parking Coordinates: Not Listed
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Visit Instructions:
No specific requirements, just have fun visiting the waymark.