What is the name of the deepest lake on earth. The deepest lake in the world. Natural phenomena of Lake Baikal
Each of us has seen a lake at least once in our lives. Most likely, it was small, warm, with silted shores and a modest selection of fish. But these natural bodies of water can be different.
Completely different. So big that the opposite shore is lost in the distance. So huge that they can belong to several states. So deep that the devil himself doesn’t know what’s going on at the bottom. We don’t know about you, but we would be interested to learn more about them, and most importantly, to understand where the deepest lake in the world is located.
Baikal
And first of all, we want to please all Russian patriots. After all, the deepest and cleanest lake in the world is our Baikal. We know about this, but we know it somehow abstractly. And to better understand the scale of this unique natural object, we will give some numbers:
- The maximum depth of Lake Baikal is 1642 meters. Not every sea can boast of this.
- The average depth is 744 meters. Likewise.
- The mirror area is 31,700 square meters. This is approximately equal to the territory of the Netherlands or Belgium.
- Volume – about 23.6 million cubic meters. This represents about 19% of all freshwater reserves.
- About 2,600 species live above, in and near Lake Baikal, more than half of which are found nowhere else.
- One liter of Baikal water contains about 96 milligrams of impurities and a lot of oxygen. It is so pure that it can be used as a distillate.
This list can be continued for several more pages, because there is no such lake on the planet, and, apparently, there will never be another. But there are others.
This African lake takes an honorable second place in our ranking, slightly inferior to Baikal in depth - 1470 meters maximum and 570 average. But it is considered the longest lake, stretching like a crescent for 676 kilometers. As a result, its shores were divided between four states: Tanzania, Burundia, Zambia and Congo. Fortunately, there is enough water, fish and other benefits for everyone. True, in exchange it is not the ungrateful residents who pour waste, sewage and sewage into it.
It's good that the drains are not visible
Therefore, if you want to swim in the waters of Tanganyika, you should do it as quickly as possible. And it’s better to hurry, because the freshwater lake boasts very clean and warm water, beautiful scenery and an abundance of living creatures, ranging from all kinds of fish to hippos and alligators.
East
We thought for a long time about where to put this extraordinary lake. His maximum depth– 1200 metro (presumably). But it is separated from the surface by more than 4 kilometers of ice! The fact is that it is located in Antarctica and is the largest and deepest underwater lake on Earth.
It has been studied for several years, but so far scientists have not been able to overcome the ice sheet and get to the water. It is not difficult to explain such interest, because the lake was separated from our world for millions of years, and its ecosystem (if it exists) developed in isolation from the whole world.
Most of all, scientists are interested in whether there is life in this deepest lake. Firstly, it is interesting what kind of form it could have taken over millions of years of independent evolution. And secondly, the very fact of its discovery will significantly increase our chances of finding another habitable planet. The fact is that several of Jupiter’s satellites have similar subglacial water reservoirs. And if life was able to adapt to Lake Vostok, it will be able to catch on there too.
The data obtained to date does not allow us to confidently confirm or refute the existence of living organisms in the waters of the East. Drilling will continue this year. Perhaps then scientists will be able to obtain more accurate data.
Don't be surprised what the sea does in the competition for the title of "deepest lake." It is called a sea only because of its impressive size, because it has no connection with the World Ocean. On the other hand, unlike most lakes, the Caspian has salt water, from 0.5 to 13‰.
Well, why not the sea?
The Caspian Sea honestly deserves fourth place on our list thanks to its maximum depth of 1025 meters. The average, however, is smaller - about 200. However, this lake is one of the few with a depth of more than a kilometer at its maximum points. All the rest, even the next one in the ranking, San Martin, can only boast 836 meters.
With this, we believe that we have answered the question of what is the deepest lake and we can finish our article.
Below is a list of the ten deepest lakes in the world, based on maximum depth.
Matano – 590 m.
Lake located in the south of Sulawesi province. It is the deepest lake in Indonesia (by maximum depth) and the 10th deepest in the world. It has an area of 164.1 km. sq., maximum depth 590 meters, average - 37 meters. Its age is estimated to be between one and four million years. The water in the lake is extremely poor in minerals and nutrients. But despite this, the ecosystem of Lake Matano abounds, especially with endemic species of flora and fauna. There are reserves of nickel ore on its banks.
Crater – 594 m.
Crater is a crater lake located in the center of Oregon, USA. The area of the lake is 53.2 km. sq., average depth 300 m, maximum 594 meters. Considered one of the strangest lakes in the world. It is famous for its incredibly clear water, which has a very beautiful dark blue color.
Great Slave Lake – 614 m.
The lake, located in northwestern Canada, is the deepest lake in North America, and the tenth largest lake in the world. Its area including the islands is 28,400 km. sq. (without islands 27,048 sq. km). The average depth is 41 meters.
Issyk-Kul – 702 m.
Seventh place in the ranking of the ten deepest lakes in the world is occupied by Issyk-Kul, an endorheic lake, the largest in Central Asia. Located in the eastern part of Kyrgyzstan. Is the second largest salt lake in the world after the Caspian Sea. Its area is 6,236 km. sq., maximum depth – 702 meters, average – 278 meters. Although surrounded by snow-capped peaks, Issyk-Kul never freezes, hence its name, which means “hot lake” in Kyrgyz.
Nyasa (Malawi) - 706 m.
Malawi is the third largest lake in the world by area (29,600 km2) containing 7% of the world's fresh water reserves. Located in Africa between Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania. The average depth is 292 meters. The Lake Malawi ecosystem is extremely rich in animal diversity in terms of the number of species, most of which are endemic.
San Martin – 836 m.
San Martin is a lake located in Patagonia on the border of the Aisen region and the province of Santa Cruz in Argentina. This is the deepest lake in America with an area of 1,013 km2. When viewed from above, it consists of a series of finger-shaped flooded valleys, of which 554 km. sq. are located in Chile and 459 km. sq. in Argentina.
Lake Vostok - more than 900 m.
It is the largest of almost 400 known subglacial lakes in Antarctica. Lake Vostok has an estimated area of 15,690 km. sq. and an average depth of 344 meters is located under an ice sheet about 4 km thick in the area of the Antarctic Vostok station.
Caspian Sea – 1025 m.
The Caspian Sea is the largest closed lake on the planet with an area of 371,000 km. sq. Located at the junction of Europe and Asia. It borders with Russia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan. The average depth is 211 m. The ancient inhabitants living on its coast perceived the Caspian Sea as an ocean, probably because of its salinity and seeming limitlessness.
Tanganyika – 1470 m.
Tanganyika - large lake, located in central Africa. It was opened in 1858. It is the longest freshwater lake on Earth, as well as the second in volume of fresh water and the second in depth (in both cases after Baikal). It is divided between four countries - Burundi, Democratic Republic Congo, Tanzania and Zambia. The largest parts belong to Congo (45%) and Tanzania (41%). The lake has an area of 32,900 km. sq. and with an average depth of 570 meters enters the Congo River basin, one of largest rivers peace.
Baikal – 1642 m.
Baikal is a lake of tectonic origin located in the southern part of Eastern Siberia, on the border between the Irkutsk region and the Republic of Buryatia. It is the deepest lake in the world and the largest natural reservoir of fresh water (approximately 22% of the world's reserves). It is considered the oldest lake on the planet, approximately 25 million years old. The average depth is 744.4 meters. Area – 31,722 sq. km.
Deep lakes are found on all continents. The border zone of Argentina and Chile is especially rich in such reservoirs; given the area of the countries, they will be among the leaders. As for the origin of deep-sea lakes, there is complete diversity: glacial, volcanic, tectonic. The picture is approximately the same for temperature conditions.
But reservoirs with great depths often have differences from shallow ones. Some have atypical mineral composition or inhabitants that cannot be found anywhere else. Richness in fish is typical for most representatives of the list, although there are exceptions. The tourism industry is also not developed everywhere, but the potential is there and visible to the naked eye.
The deepest lakes on earth
1. Baikal
This is the deepest lake in the world. Also the largest tank with fresh water not only in Russia, but throughout the entire planet. The Angara flows out of it, and many rivers flow in. The distribution area of many species of animals and plants is limited. There are many natural monuments in the area: Cape Ludar, Ushkany Islands, Chersky Peak, etc. In winter, the surface is almost completely covered with a thick layer of ice. Although the lake is protected, there are environmental problems.
Depth – 1642 meters.
2. Tanganyika
It is the longest freshwater lake, with an area of 32,900 km². Located in Central Africa, it belongs to four countries at once. Hot climate affects changes in water level in different times of the year. When the inflowing rivers partially dry up, the lake follows suit. There are special environmental problems in the north of the lake, since waste from enterprises was dumped here, and fishing was put on stream.
Depth – 1470 meters.
3. East
The location features - the lake is located in Antarctica - could not but affect the characteristics. There is no larger (15,790 km²) subglacial lake in the world. At the same time, the water is heated to +10°C due to geothermal sources. A Russian research station with the same name is based in close proximity. The study of microorganisms living in these waters has not yet been completed.
Depth – 1200 meters.
4. Caspian Sea
It falls under the control zone of five states, including Russia. Economic activity, associated with the use of the waters of the lake, which has an area of 371,000 km², is diverse: there are oil deposits, fishing, there are ports and recreational areas on the coast. Is . In terms of tourism, reliance is placed on nearby mineral springs, mud therapy is also popular. However, there are problems with infrastructure.
Depth – 1025 meters.
5. San Martin
Located in South America, the lake has an area of 1058 km². Particularly noteworthy is the shape of the reservoir: it is divided into widely spread uneven branches. The specificity of the name is connected with this: those parts of the shoots that belong to Chile have a different name among the locals - O'Higgins. The lake is fed by small rivers flowing into it, as well as by the larger Mayer.
Depth – 836 meters.
6. Nyasa
Also called Malawi, it covers an area of 29,600 km². It belongs to three East African countries, which makes it difficult to agree on environmental protection for the territory. It is elongated in shape and has virtually no sharp bends. Used for fishing, but the coastal zone is sparsely populated. The area is picturesque, as there are different types relief, many species of rare plants and fauna.
Depth – 706 meters.
7. Issyk-Kul
It is located in Kyrgyzstan and has an area of 6236 km². It is drainless and fed by 80 tributaries. 4 picturesque bays are used for fishing, tourism and as ports. Travelers are largely attracted by the combination of climate types: mountain and sea. There are places for camping, as well as full resort areas. The beach season is short, from mid-June to the end of August.
Depth – 702 meters.
8. Great Slave
The peculiarity of the Canadian lake, which has an area of 28,568 km², is the ice crust that covers the surface for 8 months. The thickness of the cover allows the reservoir to be used as a full-fledged road for trucks in winter. The vegetation on the opposite coasts varies: in the west there are dense forests, and in the east there is tundra. There are mines in the area and the search for diamonds is underway.
Depth – 614 meters.
9. Crater
Located in the USA on the territory of the same name national park. The area is 53.2 km², the shape is round, to which the reservoir owes its volcanic origin. A local landmark is the “Old Man of the Lake” - a log that has been floating in a vertical position in the lake for a hundred years. Its preservation is ensured by low temperatures. Hydrothermal activity continues, so eruptions are still possible.
Depth – 594 meters.
10. Matana
The Indonesian lake has an area of 164.1 km². tectonic origin. Its shores are rich in nickel ore deposits. This caused a number of contradictions: the reservoir is an important source drinking water for the region, and mining has led to pollution. The composition of water at depth is unique: the oxygen content tends to zero, but iron compounds prevail over other elements.
Depth – 590 meters.
11. Buenos Aires
Located on the border of Argentina and Chile. It covers an area of 1850 km² and is of glacial origin. IN late XIX century, the channel of one of the tributaries was artificially changed, which affected the water level in the lake, albeit slightly. The western and eastern parts of the reservoir are very different in appearance and vegetation. One of the attractions is the marble grottoes.
Depth – 586 meters.
12. Hornindalsvatnet
Norwegian lake with an area of 50.42 km². There is a contradiction between official data regarding depth and those indicators obtained when laying cable along the bottom of a reservoir. The telephone company announced that the lowest point of the lake is 612 meters from its surface. In mid-summer, a massive marathon is held along the coast. It is considered the cleanest lake in Scandinavia.
Depth – 514 meters.
13. Quesnel
Located in Canada, it is of glacial origin and has an area of 266 km². The shape is oblong, there are three clearly defined sleeves. Researchers have measured that the lake's water is completely renewed within 10 years. Popular tourist destination: someone is coming for picturesque views, someone goes fishing, for example, for rainbow trout. Small piers have been built along the banks, and water transport runs regularly.
Depth – 506 meters.
14. Sarezskoe
It is located on the territory of Tajikistan and covers an area of 80 km². Formed due to blockage of the bed and basin of the mountain river Bartang by rubble. The water level fluctuates. In theory, it is dangerous for settlements downstream, since in case of a breakthrough of natural barriers it can bring down huge volumes of water on them. There are many types of flowering plants on the banks, but there are few fish in the reservoir.
Depth – 505 meters.
15. Toba
Formed in the caldera of the volcano of the same name. It belongs to Indonesia and has an area of 1103 km². The tourism industry relies on travelers' interest in the ethnic culture of the area, especially the Batak people. Another popular destination among foreigners is ecotourism. The influx of guests occurs once a year: in May, when the weather becomes warmest, and in Chinese New Year in February.
Depth – 505 meters.
16. Tahoe
Located in the USA, it is one of the popular places rest, especially for domestic tourism. Area – 495 km², coastline – 114 km. There is one island - Fannett. It is small in size, but rises above the water due to its mountain-like shape and is clearly visible from many points. There are dense forests around, and there are few settlements on the coast itself, although they are aimed, among other things, at visitors.
Depth – 501 meters.
17. Lago Argentino (500 m)
Argentinean area freshwater lake– 1415 km². The largest in the country, put on maps in the 80s of the 18th century. Belongs to the territory of the national park. Nutrition comes from the melting of glaciers and rivers carrying melt water to the lake. Tourists come here for the fishing and also for the unusual species not found anywhere else in South America.
Depth – 500 meters.
18. Kivu
Located on the territory Central Africa and belongs to two countries at once. Belongs to the list of Great African Lakes. Connected to Lake Tanganyika via the Ruzizi River. Area – 2700 km². The most famous story associated with the reservoir occurred in 1948. A volcano nearby became active for a long time, and the water in Kivu began to boil, and all the fish were cooked.
Depth – 480 meters.
19. Salsvannet
There are discrepancies about the depth of this Norwegian lake. Maybe, official sources it is somewhat understated. Area – 44.77 km². At depth there is practically no oxygen in the water. In addition, the salinity there is higher, which also affects the density of the water. The reasons for such deviations from the norm may be hidden both in the origin of the reservoir and in as yet undiscovered factors. Research continues to this day.
Depth – 464 meters.
20. Nahuel Huapi
The name is translated from the local dialect as “Jaguar Island”. It belongs to the territory of Argentina and covers an area of 530 km². The shape is elongated, there are branch sleeves. The largest of the lakes in the local national park. Tourism is widely developed. There are many hotels in cities on the coast. Visitors are attracted by ethnic groups, history, and environmental features. There are several types of tourism programs.
Depth – 464 meters.
21. Hauroko
Located in New Zealand, the southernmost in the country, it belongs to the national park. Area – 63 km². The shape is very curved and resembles the letter “S”. There are many camping spots nearby, but no hotels or shops. Mass tourism absent, although the lake is often used as a transit point for long journeys.
Depth – 462 meters.
22. Pueyrredon
Has another name - Cochrane. It belongs to the territory of Chile and Argentina and has an area of 270 km². Nearby are the southern Andes, the reservoir is fed by a glacier. The shores are predominantly high, mountainous or hilly. Eat small areas land on the surface of the water, but they are too small to be called islands. The vegetation is often low, there is a lot of fish, although there is no constant fishing.
Depth – 460 meters.
23. Tinsho
It is located in Norway and has an area of 51.43 km². The reservoir was used by the Nazis during the occupation of the country. Local waters with an atypical composition were to be used for nuclear research. Already in the 90s, one of their sunken ferries was discovered. In addition, previously unknown fish species were found. The study of the lake’s features continues to this day.
Depth – 460 meters.
24. Adams Lake
It is located in Canada and belongs to the glacial type of formation. Area – approximately 137 km². The lake is elongated and narrow. Bends coastline quite smooth and consistently taper to extreme points. Popular as an object of domestic tourism: local residents come here to fish. The main commercial fish species is rainbow trout.
Depth – 457 meters.
25. Chelan
Located in the United States, its name is translated from the Indian language as “deep water”. Area – 135 km², the largest in Washington state. The river of the same name flows out and Sthekin flows in. Belongs to the North Cascades National Park. A boarding house was built on the coast, operating all year round. There are several settlements, including a city of the same name in the southeast.
Depth - 453 meters.
26. Wang
The endorheic Turkish lake with salt water is located on an area of 3574 km². It is the largest soda lake in the world. The name can be translated as “inhabited place.” Surrounded by several mountain systems, which affects climate and air saturation. There are several islands in the reservoir. Some have preserved Armenian landmarks: monasteries, churches, etc.
Depth – 451 meters.
27. Poso
The Indonesian lake has an area of 323.2 km². The lake attracts tourists with its nature. Particularly noteworthy are the species of shrimp and snails that live here. Also, local coastal settlements are ready to offer guests a lot interesting impressions: national color is adjacent to developed infrastructure and service. There is sandy beaches and hotels for almost any budget.
Depth – 450 meters.
28. Fagnano
Belongs to the possessions of Chile and Argentina. It bears the name of a Catholic missionary who visited these regions at the end of the 19th century. The largest (593 km²) of the lakes of Tierra del Fuego. It is the source of the Asopardo River. It is part of the national park on the Argentine side. Traveling along the coastal area in jeeps is popular among tourists. Local operators offer this service to everyone.
Depth – 449 meters.
29. Big Bear
Location – northern Arctic Circle, belongs to Canada and covers an area of 31,153 km². There is a uranium deposit, but it is abandoned due to the unprofitability of mining. The lake is navigable, but only for a small part of the year, since most of the time the surface of the reservoir is covered with a crust of ice. There is only one settlement on the shore, which once served as a fort.
Depth – 446 meters.
30. Manapouri
Belongs to the territory of the New Zealand National Park. Area – 142 km², glacial origin. The name translates as “lake of sad heart.” U local residents there are several other names for it, including: Roto-au and Moturau. There are more than 30 islands in the water area of the reservoir; they are mostly covered with forest. Europeans brought it here red deer more than a hundred years ago.
Depth - 444 meters.
In the south of Eastern Siberia, where Irkutsk region borders on the Buryat Republic, and is located the most on Earth - Baikal. Only the average depth of the reservoir is 744 meters, while the maximum is 1642! But this is far from its only advantage and remarkable feature.
Baikal is a unique phenomenon of its kind on planet Earth. This is the largest natural repository of the purest fresh water, which makes up one fifth of all the world's reserves and nine-tenths of Russia. The volume of water on Earth exceeds all North American waters combined. 23 thousand cubic meters are stored here. If water suddenly disappeared from Baikal in an incomprehensible way, rivers from all over our planet would need whole year to fill it again.
Baikal is transparent like glass, and a white disk with a diameter of 20 centimeters is visible at a depth of more than 50 meters! Three hundred rivers flow into the deepest lake on Earth, and only one flows out - the majestic Angara.
Mountain ranges border the basin in which Baikal is located. Primorsky and Baikalsky surround its northwestern part, Barguzinsky - the northeastern part, and from the southeast - the Khamar-Dabansky ridge. The lake is famous for its islands. The largest among them is Olkhon - the heart of Baikal.
Not seeing the deepest lake on Earth, which is about 25 million years old, means not allowing a miracle to happen in life. Two-thirds are plant-based and endemic. You won't find a seal anywhere else! And there are more clear days on Lake Baikal per year than in the resort of Sochi. Beaches and lagoons, sand dunes and foggy swamps, taiga and steppes, endless meadows and snow-white mountain ranges- this coastal world is unique!
Peschannaya Bay has the warmest Baikal water. It is located on the western shore of the lake between the Kharginsky Cape and Sredniye Khomuty. Only here you can see majestic pines and larches on unusually terrifying “stilts”. Due to the fact that the sandy soil is constantly blown away from under the trees, their roots are exposed.
Whitefish, sturgeon, lenok, grayling, taimen... List of names of fish that are found in sacred lake, for fishermen sounds like music for musicians.
Baikal is beautiful at any time of the year. Winter gave him a unique range of northern colors. The sun's rays, reflected from the ice surface and refracted, shimmer with a rainbow spectrum. The thickness of the ice shell that binds the lake during the cold months reaches a meter or more, although due to the pebbles visible at the bottom of Baikal, it seems thin. But this is an illusion! Ice is very strong and can withstand a train. With the beginning of spring, the ice opens up and breaks with a roar, cracking continuously, and closer to summer, the wind and waves dump transparent blocks onto the shore, forming landscapes of unsurpassed beauty.
This is what it is, the deepest lake on Earth! It is not surprising that UNESCO did not ignore Baikal. The lake is listed World Heritage. More than three hundred thousand tourists, scientists and researchers from all over the world come annually to see and experience the extraordinary miracle created by nature - Baikal!
The Earth's hydrosphere occupies a volume of 1458.38 million cubic kilometers. To imagine this, let’s put it more simply – two-thirds of the planet. Of this number, about 94% of the water “belongs” to the World Ocean, which contains various salts and gases. The rest of the water is frozen in glaciers (1.65%), hidden underground (0.01%), flows in rivers and rises into the atmosphere as steam. Against this background, it seems that there is very little water left for the lakes. Only 0.02%.
Basically, this is fresh water, vital for land inhabitants. There are lakes where the water is salty. How many lakes are there on Earth? The “final” answer was given by scientists from the Swedish University of Uppsala in 2014 - they named the figure - one hundred and seventeen million (the smallest that were taken into account was 0.2 hectares). Let's find out where the deepest lake in the world is located.
From huge amount Let's choose 10 + 1 of the deepest lakes in the world. Let's start in order with the “small deep-water lakes”. There are two with the same indicator - 590 meters. They share tenth place among the leaders. Both are freshwater.
Not only the deepest in South America. It is also the second largest lake in area, dividing Chile with Argentina. Today its area is 1850 sq. km. It is 870 kilometers in Argentina, where it is called General Carrera. The rest belongs to Chile.
Carlos Maria Moyano "found" this lake while exploring the Patagonian Andes in the late nineteenth century.
Thanks to the shifts of glaciers, a pit was formed, gradually filling with water. Its initial level above the sea was more than four hundred meters, and the lake flowed into Atlantic Ocean. When the glacier began to actively melt (from the Chilean side), the flow changed towards Pacific Ocean, and the level dropped to 208 meters.
The lake is high-mountainous, so the climate is quite cold, windy strong winds. But tourists come to admire the amazing “Marble Cathedral” - an island consisting of minerals of white and turquoise shades.
Lake Matano – tenth place
In Indonesia, on the southern side of Sulawesi, the waters of Lake Motano splash. Depth, like Buenos Aires, but the origin is different - the water filled a geological fault earth's crust. Motano's area is almost three times smaller.
It is part of the unique closed ecosystem of Malili, consisting of five lakes that are surrounded by mountains and tropical forests. The lakes are inhabited by endemic animals. Many unusual aquarium inhabitants come from this area.
The lake water is distributed over two layers: saturated with oxygen in the upper layer and free of oxygen and sulfates in the lower one. Deeper waters are oversaturated with iron. Geologists discovered nickel ore deposits along the shores of the lake. In Indonesia, Matano is the largest body of fresh water.
Crater is the ninth deepest lake
In the USA - the first in depth. Throughout North America - second place. Owned by the State of Oregon. The eruption of Mount Mazama, which occurred more than seven and a half thousand years ago, formed a crater that eventually filled with water. Thus, Crater Lake was “born”. The most deep place reaches almost six hundred meters (594 m). The walls of the caldera rise above the surface of the water. Over time they became overgrown with forests.
For the aborigines - Indians, " Blue Lake"was sacred. Peering into the depths, they tried to “find the truth” there. For the European discoverers it was interesting only from the point of view of finding gold.
Since 1902, the area surrounding the Crater (this is the third version of the name) has become a National Park. The shape of the Crater resembles an oval. The area is more than sixty kilometers. Scientists are confident that the lake is not yet fully formed - the bottom is constantly subject to hydrothermal activity. This means that the Mazama volcano has just “fallen asleep.”
Great Slave Lake – 8th place
It is not the largest - it is smaller than the Big Bear and occupies only the tenth place in area. But for North America it is the deepest - 614 meters. Located in Canadian territory.
In the post-glacial period, on the site of three lakes - Great Slave, Athabasca, Great Bear - there was one large glacial lake. Now they are connected to each other by rivers. The Mackenzie, the largest of them, flows into the Beaufort Sea. Thus, the lakes are part of the Northern Arctic Ocean.
Indians have lived on their banks since ancient times. Europeans learned about this area thanks to the British Samuel Chiron in 1771. His expedition crossed the Great Slave on ice so strong that it could support the weight of a modern heavy truck. The lake has been free of ice for only two months.
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It is known that the name Big Slave received by mistake - “difficulty of translation” (slave - slave, slave). The Slavey aborigines were never slaves.
In the thirties of the twentieth century, the city of Yellowknife was founded thanks to gold mines. Diamond mines also operate in the same places (upper reaches of the Coppermine River). In winter, cargo transportation is carried out on ice.
These three lakes are not part of the American Great Lakes system, but the nature surrounding them is no less picturesque. Like the bulk of high-mountain lakes, Great Slave is a huge body of fresh water.
Lake Issyk-Kul is the seventh deepest
The recorded depth is seven hundred and two meters. In the Kyrgyz language it means Warm (or hot) lake. It is one of the ten deepest, and in thirtieth place in terms of area occupied. The purity of the waters is slightly inferior to the waters of Lake Baikal.
This reservoir is 1600 meters higher than the sea, in a depression between two Tien Shan ranges. It is filled by small mountain tributaries, but there are many of them (80). The lake has no drainage. The lake water level changes cyclically over several decades. Its uniqueness is salty water, despite the location in the mountains. But the water is not sea water. Dissolved minerals give it salinity. This combination created a rare ecological system around the never-freezing Issyk-Kul.
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The flora is distributed “stepwise”:
close to the shores there is a bush (sea buckthorn);
higher up are spruce forests (Schenk spruce);
at an altitude of two and a half kilometers there are mountain meadows, like in the Alps.
Of more than twenty species of fish, fourteen live only in Issyk-Kul.
There are many folk tales and legends about the lake and the places surrounding it.
Lake Nyasa is sixth in the ranking
The lake “belongs” to three African states – Tanzania, Mozambique and Malawi, located in the southeast of the continent. One of the reservoirs of the Great Rift Valley, the deepest is 706 meters. Although a hundred years ago it was deeper.
The reservoir is located at an altitude of 472 m. Figures show that its bottom is 234 m lower maritime border. The lake's flow is very weak. Water is renewed slowly. Research shows a period of more than a hundred years. During the rainy season, the basin can become overcrowded, leading to flooding. During dry times, the level drops, causing the Shire River, the only drainage, to dry up.
One of the few places where the natural self-cleaning system is practically absent. Ecology is very sensitive to environmental conditions and pollution. The water in Nyasa, like in Issyk-Kul, is salty, but their composition is different. In addition, the water column is not like a three-layer cocktail. The top layer is full of life, the bottom contains almost no oxygen. This lake is home to only fish from 230 to 500 species (according to some sources - 1000) - the richest “lake collection” in the world, most of“exhibits” in which are endemics.
The coast is also quite busy - in addition to birds, there are dangerous animals - crocodiles, hippos...
The rest of the world learned of the existence of a "great inland sea" in the center of the African continent in 1616. The Dutch traveler Bukaru became the first European to see Malawi (another “name” of the lake). Although for some time David Livingston was considered the official discoverer of Lake Nyasa.
Lake San Martin - fifth place
San Martin - the greatest recorded depth (near the O'Higgins Glacier) is 836 meters. The location is 250 meters above sea level in the Andes of Patagonia. San Martin is the divider between Argentina and Chile. Residents of these countries call the same body of water differently - San Martin and O'Higgins.
It is interesting that in both cases the lake received its “name” in honor of the heroes whom these peoples honor - José de San Martin and O'Higgins Bernardo.
The southern intermountain depression of the Patagonian Andes is filled with water. South America. The shape of this lake is unusual - eight separate “sleeves”. The flow occurs through the Pasuka River, reaching the Pacific Baker Fjord.
Lake water has a milky blue hue. The lake basin is filled with glaciers (Chico and O'Higgins), the Mayer River, and small streams flowing into it. At the same time, rock particles enter the water in the form of a suspension. This is what makes the lake so unusual.
The surrounding landscape is reminiscent of Scandinavian fjords. But not only the beauty of nature attracts tourists, also fishing. The main catch is trout.
The Caspian Sea is in fourth place. Is it the sea or is it still a lake?
The only closed sea on the planet that has no drainage. Due to its enormous size (371,000 sq. km) and “non-standard” origin, controversy arises among researchers. According to the method of origin, it is a lake, and the dimensions “say” are the sea.
The most deep point- 1025 meters. 44% of the world's lake water is in the Caspian Sea. Thirteen million years ago, the transformation of the earth’s crust began, which led to the appearance of the “bed” of the Caspian Sea. Subsequently, at the junction of the continents - Europe and Asia - an immense lake arose.
Archaeologists, when they explored the Khuto cave (district south coast Caspian Sea), proved that people inhabited these places seventy-five thousand years ago. The first known mention of this sea and the peoples living there date back to the fifth century BC. Herodotus spoke about him.
Water contains salts, but their percentage and composition differs greatly in different places seas, not to mention the ocean.
Its level is very dependent on changes climatic conditions, the flow of rivers flowing into it. Evaporation and precipitation are of great importance. Just like any other closed lake, the Caspian Sea is susceptible to pollution. The ecology of such places needs additional support.
Vostok - a lake hidden under ice, in third place
Not only the deepest, but also the largest of the Antarctic relict lakes. The unofficial name is “Time Capsule”.
The east is hidden under a four-kilometer ice sheet. Its dimensions are not known exactly. The estimated area is fifteen and a half thousand square kilometers, and the maximum depth is more than 1200 meters.
For several million years this lake has existed completely isolated. The oxygen in it, according to unverified data, is fifty times higher than the amount that can be in standard fresh water. This indicator gives scientists the right to expect that there may be living organisms in the lake.
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By the way, the only thing that can be said about this lake (theoretically) for sure is that the water in it is fresh.
Lake Vostok has been little explored due to its inaccessibility. Therefore, there are very few proven facts - basically everything that is said about him is speculation. Even more openly it was done on the basis of theoretical calculations by Andrei Kapitsa in the late fifties of the twentieth century. And “physically” this theory was confirmed in 1996 by Russian polar explorers who conducted research at Vostok station.
Tanganyika - on the other side of the planet, a lake that ranks second
Depth, a little less than one and a half thousand kilometers. But this lake, a world record holder due to its length, stretches for 676 km. Four African states: Congo (DRC), Burundi, Tanzania and Zambia are located along the banks of Tanganyika.
At an altitude of 773 meters, in the deepest rift basin of the African continent, there is a lake. Its depth reaches a record 1470 meters. In terms of antiquity, it is almost the same as Lake Baikal. The surrounding landscape is majestic rocks. Only in the east do the banks gradually become gentle.
Several tributaries fill the lake, the largest flowing in the north is the Ruzizi River. From the east, the lake is filled by the Malagarasi, a river that predates Tanganyika itself. This river in ancient times flowed directly into the Congo. Tanganyika now enters the basin of one of the most big rivers Earth. The only drainage of the lake water is the Lukuga River. It connects to Congo. Together they flow into the Atlantic Ocean.
In Tanganyika, as in the Black Sea, the upper layers of water do not mix with the lower ones due to natural reasons. In terms of the amount of oxygen-free waters, it ranks second, right behind the Black Sea.
Animal and vegetable world The lake and its surrounding area are very rich, thanks to the tropical climate. The presence of 600 endemic species is explained by its ancient origin, the fact that it never dried out and was isolated (drainless) for a long time. The discoverers of such a huge reservoir in 58 of the nineteenth century were the Englishmen Richard F. Burton and John H. Speke.
Baikal is the deepest lake in the world. First place in the ranking.
So where is the deepest lake on the planet? The answer is unequivocal - in the same place where the most big country peace. Lake Baikal is located on Russian territory. Baikal is not only the “most-most” lake in terms of depth.
The oldest rift in Eastern Siberia, shaped like a crescent, is located in the south of the region. It was in this fault that Baikal was formed. It is recognized as the largest natural reservoir of pure fresh water, with an area of 31,722 square meters. kilometer Russia's deepest lake contains 19 percent of the world's fresh water.
The length of the lake is only forty kilometers shorter than the African Tanganyika. But the depth of Baikal is 1642 meters (a difference of almost two hundred meters). Although these are only official figures. Many researchers say that the depth of the lake is much greater.