Turquoise lagoons in the middle of the desert. Few people know this place
Turquoise lagoons in the middle of the desert look like they’re from another planet. The Ojos de Mar in Argentina harbor some of the oldest forms of life on Earth.
At first glance, they look like small turquoise ponds lost somewhere in the middle of the desert. However, Ojos de Mar in northwestern Argentina is much more than a picturesque landscape.
Argentina. Turquoise lagoons in the middle of the desert
They are located near the small town of Tolar Grande, at an altitude of over 3,500 m above sea level in the province of Salta. They are surrounded by huge salt flats, volcanoes and the rugged peaks of the Andes, making the landscape resemble the surface of Mars rather than Earth. The intensely turquoise water contrasts with the white salt and red mountains, creating one of the most extraordinary views in South America.
The greatest treasure of this place, however, is not the spectacular landscapes, but the life hidden under the water’s surface. Stromatolites, extremely rare structures created by microorganisms, were discovered in the lagoons. They are considered to be some of the oldest forms of life on our planet. Similar organisms existed over 3.5 billion years ago and played a key role in oxygenating the Earth’s atmosphere. For this reason, Ojos de Mar are often referred to as “a living window into Earth’s ancient history.”
The Argentine desert hides an extraordinary secret
The ecosystem is so unique that the area is under strict protection. Entering the water is prohibited, as is approaching the stromatolites. These bans are not accidental. Even minor pollution could disturb the delicate biological balance.
Scientists studying Ojos de Mar believe that the conditions there may resemble the environment that existed on the young Earth billions of years ago. For this reason, the place is of interest not only to geologists and biologists, but also to astrobiologists. Research conducted on stromatolites may help answer the question of how life originated on our planet.
Although Ojos de Mar are becoming more and more recognizable, they are still among the least frequented attractions in Argentina. Getting here requires traveling hundreds of kilometers through the desert roads of the Puna region, but it is this isolation that allows the place to retain its pristine character. In the area you can also see the impressive Cono de Arita cone, the vast Salar de Arizaro salt pan and the extraordinary Campo de Piedra Pomez rock formations.
