logo
welcome
Live Science

Live Science

Earth from space: Giant 'phantom lake' dotted with stripy gold islands shimmers in Australian outback

Live Science
Summary
Nutrition label

78% Informative

Lake Mackay , also known by local Indigenous people as Wilkinkarra , is one of Australia 's many ephemeral salt lakes.

It is located along the border between Western Australia and the Northern Territory in the Great Sandy Desert .

The lake's depth varies, but when it is full, its waters are likely between 20 inches ( 50 centimeters ) and " several meters " deep.

It hosts more than 90 species of birds, reptiles and mammals, including rabbits.