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Salda Lake, widely known as “Türkiye’s Maldives” for its white sandy shores and turquoise waters, is preparing to host a series of scientific activities aimed at increasing international academic interest in the region, which also draws attention for its geological resemblance to Mars.
The Salda Lake Science, Education and Nature Conservation Application and Research Center (SALDA-BILMER), established under the Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University, is set to open in the coming months. The center will focus on scientific research on subjects such as the lake and its basin, biodiversity, environmental conservation efforts, and public awareness activities.
Officials state that the initiative aims to strengthen both environmental protection and scientific research, positioning Salda Lake as a natural laboratory, particularly for planetary science and astrobiological studies.
In this connection, a major event titled “Salda Science Days” is scheduled to take place in June. The program will include a scientific workshop titled “Tracing the Signs of Life from Salda to Mars,” as well as a science festival designed to engage students and young participants.
The event will feature hands-on experiments in biology, chemistry, and astronomy, along with nighttime sky observations using telescopes set up in the field area.
Organizers say the initiative aims to promote scientific awareness, encourage youth participation in science, and highlight the connection between Earth’s geological formations and planetary exploration.
Salda Lake has attracted global scientific attention due to its magnesium carbonate deposits, which closely resemble formations found in Mars’ Jezero Crater. Because of this similarity, NASA and planetary scientists have identified the site as a valuable Earth analogue for Mars research.
Research teams, including scientists from Istanbul Technical University, have conducted studies in the region to support planetary exploration efforts, particularly in relation to NASA’s Perseverance rover mission.
Türkiye’s first astronaut, Alper Gezeravci, recently visited Salda Lake and the newly established science center. He described the area as an important source of inspiration for space research and emphasized its potential to raise scientific awareness among students and young researchers.
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