Posted by tourdemars to Life on Mars at November 11, 2002 12:00 PM

The highest lake in the world is located in this volcano's crater. NASA / SETI / Extremeenvironment.com In the vast wasteland of Chile's Atacama Desert, yearly rainfall is measured in tenths of inches and life is scarce. Yet, rising above its barren landscape, at an elevation of 19,410 feet (5,916 meters), Licancabur Volcano holds an ice-covered crater lake that's teaming with life. At this lake — the world's highest — the atmospheric pressure is half that at sea level and more dangerous ultraviolet radiation reaches the ground than at lower elevations.