Chungará Lake
Chungará is a lake situated in the extreme north of Chile at an elevation of 4,517 metres (14,820 ft), in the Altiplano of Arica y Parinacota Region in the Lauca National Park. It has a surface area of about 21.5–22.5 square kilometres (8.3–8.7 sq mi) and has a maximum depth of about 26–40 metres (85–131 ft). It receives inflow through the Río Chungara with some minor additional inflows, and loses most of its water to evaporation; seepage into the Laguna Quta Qutani plays a minor role.
| Chungará Lake | |
|---|---|
| Chungara | |
The volcano Parinacota rises over Chungará | |
Chungará Lake | |
| Coordinates | 18°14′S 69°09′W |
| Primary inflows | Chiefly Río Chungara |
| Primary outflows | Evaporation and seepage |
| Catchment area | 260 square kilometres (100 sq mi) |
| Max. length | 8.75 kilometres (5.44 mi) |
| Surface area | 21.5–22.5 square kilometres (8.3–8.7 sq mi) |
| Max. depth | 26–40 metres (85–131 ft) |
| Surface elevation | 4,517 metres (14,820 ft) |
The lake formed between 8,000 and 17,000 years ago when the volcano Parinacota collapsed and the debris from the collapse dammed the Lauca River. Since then the lake has progressively grown owing to decreasing seepage. The lake is part of the Lauca National Park; a planned diversion of the lake's waters into the Azapa Valley being abandoned after a decision by the Chilean Supreme Court.