This 2018 astronaut photo shows off an unusually triangular “Christmas tree” lake in Iraq that appears to be dressed up for the holidays with a mix of both natural, artificial and illusory decorations.
Lake Dukan is a human-made reservoir that was fully formed in 1959 after the completion of the Dukan Dam — a huge hydroelectric dam near the city of Ranya in Iraq’s Kurdistan region. The large tree-shaped triangle stretches up to 6 miles (10 kilometers) across from its “base” to its “top”; and a smaller gangly offshoot appears to hang off the tree’s top like a wonky star, where the dam drains into the Little Zab River, according to NASA’s Earth Observatory.
The lake has turned into a popular tourist destination in recent decades thanks to its artificial beaches and excellent fishing. However, some experts worry that these activities threaten a diverse ecosystem that has emerged at the lake since it was created.