Because the Salton Sea, at -278 ft, is well below sea level you may wonder why it has not been inundated by the ocean.The Gulf of California is indeed very close, but years of sediments accumulated in the delta of the Colorado River act as a natural earthen dam.
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This is shuttle image STS039-0095-0066.The Salton Sea is located at the top in the center. The body of water at the bottom of the image is the Gulf of California. The Colorado River delta is a large accumulation of sediments on both sides of the Colorado River. |