Question 1: Where is Mono Lake, featured in today’s image?
- California
- Idaho
- Arizona
Correct Answer: California
Fact: Mono Lake in eastern California is one of the oldest lakes in North America, estimated to be more than 760,000 years old. It is known for its vast saline waters and striking landscape, including the tufa towers seen in today’s image. Shorebirds such as American avocets, killdeer, and sandpipers depend on the lake’s resources. Mono Lake also has America’s second-largest nesting population of California gulls.
Question 2: Which lake straddles the California and Nevada border?
- Lake Mead
- Pyramid Lake
- Lake Tahoe
Correct Answer: Lake Tahoe
Fact: Lake Tahoe is among the largest alpine lakes in North America. Alpine lakes are found in mountainous regions and are usually frozen for large parts of the year. Lake Tahoe is renowned for its stunning clarity and depth and has long been an important resource for Native American tribes, including the Washoe.
Question 3: Where is the largest alkaline lake on Earth?
- Türkiye
- Norway
- Siberia
Correct Answer: Türkiye
Fact: Türkiye’s largest lake, Lake Van, is in the country’s eastern Anatolia region. It covers more than 1,200 square miles and holds 38% of Türkiye’s surface water. Known for its saline, alkaline waters, this high-altitude lake is fed by numerous small streams flowing from surrounding mountains. Lakes like this have high concentrations of carbonate minerals. As an endorheic lake, it has no outlet, meaning its water loss occurs solely through evaporation.