In the vast Australian outback lies a mysterious sight – Lake Mackay, also known as Wilkinkarra by local Indigenous people, adorned with oddly stripy golden islands that become visible when the ephemeral lake fills with water. This unique landscape captured by NASA Terra satellite on Sept. 19, 2010, showcases the beauty of nature in one of Australia’s most extreme environments.
Lake Mackay is just one of Australia’s many ephemeral salt lakes that appear only after heavy rain and flooding, providing a temporary refuge for wildlife in the Great Sandy Desert. Covering around 1,800 square miles when full, this salt lake becomes salty due to a high concentration of minerals in the lake bed. The depth of the lake varies, ranging from 20 inches to several meters deep when full, and can persist for up to six months depending on rainfall.
The striking image of Lake Mackay reveals dozens of golden islands shimmering in the shallow waters, with dark patches representing standing water and lighter hues indicating desert vegetation, algae, or moist soils. The largest islands in the lake are marked with parallel lines formed by wind erosion over millions of years, mirroring similar ridges found in the surrounding Great Sandy Desert.
Ephemeral lakes like Lake Mackay serve as temporary havens for wildlife, hosting over 90 species of birds, reptiles, and mammals, including non-native rabbits and camels. The lake was once home to the now-extinct Lake Mackay hare-wallaby, with only one complete skull ever found. This unique ecosystem has even inspired the naming of a giant lake on Saturn’s moon Titan, known as Mackay Lacus.
Similar temporary lakes can be found in deserts worldwide, offering vital resources for wildlife in harsh environments. From Badwater Basin in California’s Death Valley National Park to lakes in the Sahara Desert after extreme rainfall, these ephemeral bodies of water play a crucial role in supporting diverse ecosystems.
As we marvel at the beauty of Lake Mackay and its golden islands, we are reminded of the delicate balance of nature and the resilience of wildlife in adapting to ever-changing environments. This captivating landscape serves as a testament to the wonders of the natural world and the importance of conservation efforts to protect these unique ecosystems for future generations to enjoy.