![](\"http:\/\/www.esa.int\/var\/esa\/storage\/images\/esa_multimedia\/images\/2017\/04\/lake_mackay_australia\/16906509-1-eng-GB\/Lake_MacKay_Australia_small.jpg\")
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\nBrown hills speckle the eastern part of Australia\u2019s Lake MacKay in this satellite image.\n<\/p>\n
\nLocated on the border of the states of Western Australia and Northern Territory, the salt lake only sees water after seasonal rainfall \u2013 if at all. It is classified as an ephemeral lake, meaning it exists only after precipitation. This is not the same as a seasonal lake, which sees water for longer periods.\n<\/p>\n
\nAbout half of Australia’s rivers drain inland and often end in ephemeral salt lakes.\n<\/p>\n
\nThe greens and blues in this image show desert vegetation or algae, soil moisture and minerals \u2013 mainly salt. On some of the brown \u2018islands\u2019 and on the shore in the lower right, we can see the east\u2013west sand ridges forming lines in the landscape.\n<\/p>\n
\nThe lake lies at the edge of the Great Sandy Desert, which covers nearly 285 000 sq km. Roads are scarce in the area, and often frequented by four-wheel drive adventurers. Roads include the Canning Stock Route about 300 km to the west of the image, or Tanami Track connecting Australia\u2019s Stuart Highway to the Great Northern Highway around 300 km to the east.\n<\/p>\n