The High Lakes Project

Fieldwork in the Altiplano, Chile

The Ben Team recently had the pleasure of corresponding with Dr. Ingrid Ukstins Peate, a Volcanologist/Geochemist at the University of Iowa. Dr. Ukstins Peate let us know about the work she has done with The High Lakes Project.

The High Lakes Project is led by Dr. Nathalie Cabrol at NASA SETI CSC and according to Dr. Ukstins Peate,

...explores life in extreme environments, in the lakes of the Chilean and Bolivian Andes. These lakes are among the highest-altitude on the planet (from ca. 4,500 to 6000 m), and experience large temperature variations, extremely high levels of UV radiation, and host unique ecosystems. This environment is a good approximation for what we think conditions were like on early Mars when life may have developed there.

One of the project's goals is to study high altitude lakes in an attempt to better understand ancient Mars and the potential for life on the Red Planet.

Because the lakes exist near active volcanoes, Dr. Ukstins Peate studied the type, and timing, of volcanic eruptions in order to determine their effect on lake ecosystems.

Below you'll find some images from The High Lakes Project that Dr. Ukstins Peate was kind enough to share. To see even more shots of the Chilean and Bolivian Andes click here and take a look at Dr. Ukstins Peate's Web site for this project.

	Sunset on Lincanbur volcano from Chile.
	The enormous Altiplano spreads out beneath the Aguas Calientes Volcano.
	Dr. Ukstins Peate hitching a ride on the Altiplano which is the most extensive area of high plateau on Earth outside of Tibet.
	"Darn biology, this would never have happened on an ignimbrite!" -A quote from Dr. Ukstins Peate as she contemplates being stuck in microbial muck.
	Licancabur and Laguna Blanca.The Licancabur volcano hosts Inca ruins located at the summit. The lake environment combines low-oxygen, low atmospheric pressure, and high-UV radiation.
	Crater lake on Aguas Calientes.
	Geysers in Bolivia.
	Dr. Ukstins Peate pictured in front of the Licancabur and Laguna Blanca, Bolivia.