The Licancabur volcano (5916 m) located at the boundary of Chile and Bolivia hosts the highest and one of the least explored lakes on Earth. The lake environment combines low-oxygen, low atmospheric pressure, and high-UV radiation. Sediments are formed in volcanic material. It is ice-covered most of the year but the bottom water temperature remains above freezing. These conditions make Licancabur a unique analog to ancient Martian lakes. Despite the extreme environment, living organisms are thriving in the lake. \n\nExpedition Site\n