The mountains around this location are very alkalin (salty). Over the years, these mountains have eroded and silt has washed down into the flats. As well, artisian wells bubble underneath the flats and infuse the area with minerals such as sodium sulfates. Normally these minerals would be washed into the ground, but the permafrost keeps the water near the surface. There is no river or other body of water it can drain in to, so it sits there until the summer sun evaporates it, leaving salt crystals.
What's interesting too is that there are salt-loving plants here that aren't seen anywhere else in the Yukon. One of the most distinctive plants is a bright-red sea asparagus, which you will see in the photos below. Apparently this plant is so unusual that its species name is still in doubt.
Photos, from top to bottom: 1) long shot of the flats; 2) salt flats detail; 3) chunk of salt; 4) another detail of the flats; 5) salt covered log; 6) bear track; 7) another bear track we saw on the way in to the flats; 8) salt pool; 9) salty ant hill; and 10) section of the inside of a salty ant hill.
What an amazing world we live in!
4 comments:
I do believe there are plants at the salt flats that don't exist anywhere else in the world, actually, but perhaps my memory is exaggerating! We did a tour of it a couple of years ago with a local biologist/botanist (Bruce Bennett?) who made the visit absolutely fascinating. Is that what you did, too? It's hard to tell from your pics how many people might have been there. Anyway, fascinating as the place is, it still would've been just a "kinda neat" spot of red and white terrain if it hadn't been for the guide completely making it come alive.
How fascinating! It amazes me that there are so many completely unique spots still to explore in our local nature without having to go too far from our own back yard. I was thinking the other day that I haven't explored enough of my own in Vancouver. You always think you will and then the time goes by. You've inspired me!
Yes Fawn, I did go with Bruce Bennett. He's fabulous, isn't he? And yes, he did say there are some plants that aren't found anywhere else in the world. By the way, next month he's leading a group to the Takhini area to bugle elk. September 19th I believe he said, in case you're interested.
Great shots! I love the salt flats.
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