Today Picture of the day from NASA Earth Observatory features an astronaut’s view of Khar Nuur, one of the oldest lakes in the world.

Khar Nuur Lake is located in the Great Lakes depression in Mongolia, but still sits over 6,400 feet above sea level.

The photograph, which was captured from the International Space Station at sunrise, highlights the landscape surrounding the lake, including the large and small Avgash Islands. Khar Nuur Lake in Mongolia The lake is located in Har Us Nuur National Park. Its area value (1,852 km²) includes the area of ​​Agbash Island (or Ak-Bashi, white head) (274 km²), so the water area is only 1,578 km². Some sources use different statistical values ​​of Khar-Us Lake Lake.

Cracks are visible in the ice-covered surface of the lake and rolling waves of sand dunes can be seen along the shore.

NASA explains that while sand dunes are commonly associated with hot climates, they can form in any desert, including the cold steppe of western Mongolia.

Khar Nuur Lake is in the Ulaagchinii Khar National Park, which is part of the Eurasian steppe. The area is home to many endangered animals, including endangered bird species which are protected in the national park.

Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory

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Through Chrissy Sexon, Terre.com Personal editor