The saltiest water on Earth is found in a lake in Antarctica; specifically in Lake Don Juan, in the dry valleys of northwestern Antarctica. It is a very shallow lake (it only covers about 15 centimeters), but it has up to 18 times more salt than sea water. If we compare it with the Dead Sea, the water in Lake Don Juan is twice as salty: about 500 grams of salt for every liter of water. As it contains more than 40% salt , despite being in Antarctica and with an ambient temperature of about -50 ºC, it does not freeze .
Despite the Dead Sea’s fame, it is ranked fifth for the saltiest waters. In this curious ranking is also the Red Sea , the saltiest ocean of all oceans.
Returning to the dry valleys of Antarctica, the driest and coldest point on the planet, the water in Lake Don Juan does not come from rain, but has been rising from the subsoil. Because it is in a closed basin, the water and salt cannot get out. It is also curious that the coast on which it is located is about 420 meters below sea level, the lowest point on Earth.
Lake Don Juan was discovered by chance in 1961 and was named after the two lieutenants who first traveled to the lake to study it. Their names were Don ald Roe and John Hickey, hence “Don John” or “Don Juan “.
