Known for its wondrous landscape, turquoise waters, and wildlife population, Lake Salda in Turkey is quite the tourist attraction. Beyond its beauty, the lake is actually helping scientists learn more about Mars, as Lake Salda is the only location on Earth that is comparable to the Jezero Crater on the Red Planet.
Lake Salda is often hailed as the “Maldives of Turkey” for its turquoise green waters, white sandy beaches, and abundance of wildlife. Beyond the ethereal views and breathtaking experience that the lake offers, there’s now a scientific reason that the destination is so significant.
At a time where the world has become more and more interested in Mars and the possibility of a crewed mission, learning as much about the structure of the planet is integral.
Scientists also are able to increase environmental awareness about the lake itself through their studies to help combat man-made threats such as pollution and lowering water levels.
According to scientists at NASA, Lake Salda is the only location on Earth that’s analogous to the Jezero Crater located on Mars. Initially, Briony Horgan, a professor at Purdue University’s Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences Department, traveled to Turkey in 2019 with NASA’s Perseverance rover team to study the lake.
The team immediately noticed the mirroring of the lake and the crater on the Red Planet.
“It’s really just an incredibly unique place, and in many ways, it actually felt like standing on the shores of ancient Lake Jezero on Mars.”
The team of scientists utilized the term “planetary analog” consistently to discuss the Lake. The term refers to a place on Earth that’s similar or comparable to conditions found on another planet or moon.
Professor Horgan told CNN that, in general, finding an analog for Mars on Earth is difficult due to the fact that the planet has high levels of iron and magnesium.
“[Lake Salda’s basin] is of that composition that was created at the bottom of an ocean when the oceanic crust ripped apart and made a new crust straight out of the interior of the Earth.”
Nurgül Balci is also a part of NASA’s Lake Salda studies. Balci is a professor in Istanbul Technical University’s Geological Engineering Department, and her background is useful for helping scientists learn more about Martian geology. Balci also stated that the lake can offer us information regarding Earth as well.
“Salda contains a lot of information that can help us understand life that started and evolved 3.5 billion years ago,” says Balci. Balci helped present evidence to convince the International Commission on Geoheritage to put Lake Salda on the Top 100 geological sites list.
“We prepared a file (showing) that Salda contains important information about Mars and the early Earth and that if they are lost, we will have difficulty finding and understanding such information,” she said.
Experts are hoping that the lake’s inclusion on the list will help protection and awareness efforts to maintain the lake’s beauty and wildlife. Retired lecturer Erol Kesici of Süleyman Demirel University’s Eğirdir Water Resources Faculty and founder of the Turkish Water Institute is skeptical that the addition of the lake on the list will actually help.
“Despite Lake Salda having numerous sensitive and protected areas, such as natural conservation areas and other conservation statuses, there are serious issues in practice,” he said.
“The excessive pollution and contamination caused by the construction of ponds and dams are causing the lake’s ecosystem, turquoise water, and (endemic) species to disappear gradually.”
Professor Hogan agreed, stating: “[Lake Salsa] is a wonderful location that I hope many people get to see. But it’s the kind of place we should make sure we appreciate responsibly.”
Lake Salda has 301 plant species, and two of them are native to the area. Three fish species are also endemic to the lake. There are over 30 water bird species living at the lake, which is one of the biggest reasons it’s such a popular tourist spot, especially for photographers.
“The best season to visit Salda is spring and early summer. The harmony of the green trees around, the white shores of the lake, and the turquoise color emerges best in this period,” said Hasan Gülday, a tour guide in Turkey.
While you can visit the lake year round, and the warmer months are very popular due to the exuberant plant life and fields. Visitors are able to swim, however, some conservationists think that activities such as swimming should be restricted to protect the lake.
“I want time restrictions and capacity limits to be set for activities like swimming,” says Gülday.
Erol Kesici believes no one should be swimming, as the destination is “a closed lake, all waste remains within it.” He also cited that some visitors take mud baths which can damage the lake’s ecosystem.
Eric Mastrota is a Contributing Editor at The National Digest based in New York. A graduate of SUNY New Paltz, he reports on world news, culture, and lifestyle. You can reach him at eric.mastrota@thenationaldigest.com.
