Salton Sea
| Name: | Salton Sea |
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| Date: | 8/27/2006 |
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| Location: | Obsidian Butte |
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Although this looks like a scene from the aftermath of Chernobyl, it is part of the
Salton Sea near Obsidian butte. The white patches seen in the water are salt sediments. The salt is
transported to the sea by way of the Colorado River. Unfortunately the salt accumulates as water
evaporates. As new water replenishes the sea the salt remains, thus each year the salinity increases.
This poses an ecological problem that most likely won’t be solved anytime soon. See my article about this.
The large structure in the background is part of a geothermal power plant. The plant is one of many,
and each one generates roughly 30 to 40 megawatts of electrical power for urban use. The source of
energy for these power plants is geothermal energy produced by volcanic activity of Obsidian butte.
(Salton Sea Authority, 2000)
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