Rains can temporarily fill depressions in the salt flats, which are the remains of an ancient lake that evaporated long ago, leaving salt and other minerals behind.

These salt flats are near Mustard Canyon, close to the northern end of the great salt pan of Death Valley.

The ruins of Harmony Borax Works, once a major industry here, are visible if you look closely at the upper right quadrant of the picture (easier to see if you enlarge the picture).

Death Valley NP, CA-- March 2008