Sol de Mañana Mudpots

The Sol de Mañana mudpots are located in the Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve in southwestern Bolivia. They sit high on the Altiplano plateau near the border with Chile. It is a staple stop on tours of the region's spectacular high-altitude landscapes.

The Sol de Mañana geothermal field is located at an altitude of approximately 4,850 meters (15,900 feet) above sea level. At this extreme elevation, the air is quite thin, making physical exertion difficult for tourists. It is one of the highest major mudpot fields in the world.

The striking yellows, reds, and whites at Sol de Mañana are caused by various mineral deposits, primarily sulfur, iron, and other dissolved elements. As the superheated, mineral-rich water reaches the surface, the minerals precipitate out, staining the surrounding mud. The high geothermal activity continuously brings new minerals up from deep below.

While Sol de Mañana is famous for its violently bubbling mudpots, it also features vents that shoot superheated steam high into the air. Unlike the predictable, water-based geysers found elsewhere, these are primarily steam fumaroles driven by intense underground pressure. The steam plumes are most dramatic in the cold morning air.