The bottom of the world's oceans is uneven, cut through by gorges whose depth is tens of thousands of meters. The relief was formed millions of years ago due to the movement of tectonic plates - the “shell” of the earth’s crust. Due to their continuous movement, the location and shape of the continents and the ocean floor changed. The deepest ocean on the planet is the Pacific Ocean, which at this stage of technological development cannot be fully explored.

The Pacific Ocean is the largest on the planet. In its western latitudes lie the continents of Australia and Eurasia, in the southern - Antarctica, in the eastern - South and North America. The length of the Pacific Ocean from south to north is almost 16 thousand kilometers, and from west to east - 19 thousand. The area of ​​the ocean together with its seas is 178.684 million kilometers, and the average depth is about 4 kilometers. But there is in Pacific Ocean amazing places that make it the deepest in the world.

The Mariana Trench is the deepest place in the ocean

This deepest chasm got its name in honor of the nearby Mariana Islands. The depth of the Pacific Ocean in this place is 10 kilometers 994 meters. The deepest point of the trench is called the Challenger Deep. Geographically, the “Abyss” is located 340 km from the southwestern tip of the island of Guam.

If we take Mount Everest for comparison, which, as is known, rises 8848 m above sea level, it can completely disappear under water and there will still be room.

In 2010, an oceanographic expedition from New Hampshire conducted research on the ocean floor in the Mariana Trench area. Scientists have discovered four seamounts, each at least 2.5 kilometers high, crossing the surface of the trench at the point of contact between the Philippine and Pacific lithospheric plates. According to scientists, these ridges were formed about 180 million years ago as a result of the movement of the above-mentioned plates and the gradual creep of the older and heavier Pacific Plate under the Philippine Plate. The maximum depth of the Pacific Ocean was recorded here.

Diving into the abyss

Deep-sea vehicles with three people descended into the depths of the Challenger Deep four times:

1. Brussels explorer Jacques Piccard, together with American Navy Lieutenant John Walsh, were the first to dare to look into the face of the abyss. This happened on January 23, 1960. The deepest dive in the world was made on the bathyscaphe Trieste, designed by Auguste Piccard, Jacques' father. This feat, without a doubt, set a record in the world of deep diving. The descent lasted 4 hours 48 minutes, and the ascent lasted 3 hours 15 minutes. The researchers found large flat fish at the bottom of the trench that looked like flounder. The lowest point of the World Ocean was recorded - 10,918 meters. Later, Picard wrote the book “11 thousand meters”, describing all the moments of the dive.
2. On May 31, 1995, a deep-sea Japanese probe was launched into the depression, which recorded a depth of 10,911 m and also discovered ocean inhabitants - microorganisms.
3. On May 31, 2009, the Nereus automatic apparatus went on reconnaissance and stopped at 10,902 m. It shot a video, took pictures of the bottom landscape and collected soil samples, in which microorganisms were also found.
4. Finally, on March 26, 2012, film director James Cameron accomplished the feat of diving solo into the Challenger Deep. Cameron became the third person on Earth to visit the bottom of the World Ocean in its deepest place. The single-seat Deepsea Challenger was equipped with advanced deep-sea imaging equipment and powerful lighting equipment. Filming was carried out in 3G format. The Challenger Deep is featured in James Cameron's National Geographic Channel documentary.

This depression is located at the junction of the Indo-Australian plate and the Pacific plate. Extends from the Kermadec Trench towards the Tonga Islands. Its length is 860 km and its depth is 10,882 m, which is a record in the Southern Hemisphere and the second deepest on the planet. The Tonga region is notorious for being one of the most active seismic zones.

In 1970, on April 17, during Apollo 13's return to earth, the spent landing stage containing plutonium fell into the Tonga Trench to a depth of 6 km. No attempts were made to remove her from there.

Philippine Trench

The second deepest place in the Pacific Ocean is in the area Philippine Islands. The recorded depth of the depression is 10,540 m. The depression was formed as a result of the collision of granite and basalt layers, the latter, being heavier, was undermined by the granite layer. The process of meeting two lithospheric plates is called subduction, and the place of “meeting” is the subduction zone. In such places, tsunamis are born and earthquakes occur.

The depression runs along the volcanic ridge of the Kuril Islands on the border between Japan and Russia. The length of the trench is 1300 km, and the maximum depth is 10500 m. The depression was formed more than 65 million years ago during the Cretaceous period as a result of the collision of two tectonic plates.

It is located near the Kermadec Islands, northeast of New Zealand and in the southwest Pacific Ocean. The trench was first discovered by the Galatea group from Denmark, and the Soviet research vessel Vityaz studied the bottom of the trench in 1958 and recorded a maximum depth of 10,047 m. In 2008, an unknown species of sea slugs was discovered at the bottom of the trench, as well as deep-seated crustaceans long up to 30 cm.

Video: inhabitants of the Mariana Trench

Our blue planet is full of secrets, and we humans strive to comprehend them. We are curious by nature, learning from the past and looking forward to the future. The ocean is the cradle of humanity. When will he reveal his secrets to us? The greatest depth of the Pacific Ocean that is known to scientists - are these figures true, or is there something incomprehensible hidden under the black water?

08/17/2015 at 18:31 · Johnny · 39 480

Top 10 Most deep places on the ground

We still know very little about our planet. This is especially true for the depths of oceans and seas. But even on land there are places that capture the human imagination. For example, the deepest places on Earth. What do we know about them and where are the most located? low points the earth's surface - more on this later.

Huge holes or cliffs are rarely encountered in everyday life, but our planet has a diverse landscape. Along with the highest mountain peaks there are also the deepest places on our planet- How natural origin, and created by human hands.

10. Lake Baikal | 1,642 m

It would be a mistake to think that the deepest places on Earth are only in the oceans and seas. Baikal has a depth of 1,642 meters and is among the lakes. Therefore, local residents often call Baikal the sea. This depth is explained tectonic origin lakes. Many other records and amazing discoveries are associated with this place. Baikal can be called the largest natural reservoir of fresh water on Earth. This is the oldest lake on our planet (it is more than 25 million years old) and two-thirds of the flora and fauna of the reservoir are found nowhere else.

9. Krubera-Voronya Cave | 2,196 m

There are also giants among the caves. The Krubera-Voronya cave (Abkhazia) is one of the deepest places on Earth. Its depth is 2,196 meters. It should be noted that we are talking about the studied part of the cave. It is possible that the next expedition will go even lower and set a new depth record. The karst cave consists of wells connected by passages and galleries. It was first opened in 1960. Then speleologists were able to descend to a depth of 95 meters. The two-kilometer limit was overcome by a Ukrainian expedition of speleologists in 2004.

8. TauTon Mine | 4,000 m

The TauTona Mine in South Africa is the deepest mine on Earth. It is located in the Republic of South Africa, near Johannesburg. This world's largest gold mine goes 4 kilometers into the ground. At this incredible depth there is a whole underground city with a network of kilometer-long tunnels. To get to their workplace, miners have to spend about an hour. Working at such a depth involves big amount dangers are humidity, reaching 100% in some branches of the mine, high air temperature, the danger of an explosion from gas leaking into the tunnels and collapse from earthquakes, which occur here quite often. But all the dangers of work and the costs of maintaining the functionality of the mine are generously paid for by the mined gold - over the entire history of the mine’s existence, 1,200 tons of the precious metal were mined here.

7. Kola well | 12,262 m

The deepest well on Earth is the Kola superdeep well, which is located in Russia. This is one of the most unusual and interesting experiments carried out by Soviet scientists. Drilling began in 1970 and had only one goal - to learn more about the Earth's crust. Kola Peninsula were chosen for the experiment because the oldest rocks on Earth, about 3 million years old, come to the surface here. They were also of great interest to scientists. The depth of the well is 12,262 meters. It made it possible to make unexpected discoveries and forced us to reconsider scientific ideas about the occurrence of rocks on the Earth. Unfortunately, the well, created for purely scientific purposes, did not find use in subsequent years, and a decision was made to mothball it.

6. Izu-Bonin depression | 9,810 m

In 1873-76, the American oceanographic vessel Tuscarora surveyed the seabed for laying an underwater cable. Lot abandoned at Japanese islands Izu, recorded a depth of 8,500 meters. Later, the Soviet ship Vityaz in 1955 established the maximum depth of the depression at 9810 meters.

5. Kuril-Kamchatka Trench | 10,542 m

- This is not only one of the deepest places on Earth, the trench is also the narrowest in the Pacific Ocean. The width of the trench is 59 meters, and the maximum depth is 10,542 meters. The depression is located in the northwestern part of the Pacific Ocean. In the middle of the last century, Soviet scientists studied it on the Vityaz ship. No further detailed studies have been carried out. The trench was discovered by the American ship Tuscarora and bore this name for a long time until it was renamed.

4. Kermadec Gutter | 10,047 m

Located in the Pacific Ocean near the Kermadec Islands. The maximum depth of the depression is 10,047 meters. Explored by the Soviet ship "Vityaz". In 2008, a previously unknown species of sea slug from the snail fish family was discovered at a depth of 7 kilometers in the Kermadec Trench. The researchers were also surprised by other dwellings of this deepest place on Earth - huge 30-centimeter crustaceans.

3. Philippine Trench | 10,540 m

Unlocks the three deepest points on the planet. 10,540 meters is its depth. It was formed millions of years ago as a result of the collision of the earth's plates. Located in the east of the Philippine archipelago. By the way, scientists have long believed that the Philippine Trench is the deepest point in the Pacific Ocean.

2. Tonga Trough | 10,882 m

Located in the southwest Pacific Ocean, near the Tonga Islands. This area is extremely interesting because it is a very active seismic zone. Several strong earthquakes occur here every year. The depth of the trench is 10,882 meters. It is only 100 meters less than Mariana Trench. The difference is about a percent, but it makes the Tonga Trench the second deepest place on Earth.

1. Mariana Trench | 10,994 m

It is located in the western part of the Pacific Ocean and is shaped like a crescent moon. The length of the trench is more than 2.5 thousand kilometers, and the deepest point is 10,994 meters. It is called the Challenger Deep.

The deepest place on Earth was discovered in 1875 by the English ship Challenger. Today, the trench is the most studied of all other deep-sea trenches. They tried to reach its bottom during four dives: in 1960, 1995, 2009 and 2012. The last time director James Cameron descended into the Mariana Trench all alone. Most of all, the bottom of the trench reminded him of the lifeless lunar surface. But, unlike the Earth’s satellite, the Mariana Trench is inhabited by living organisms. Researchers have found here toxic amoebas, mollusks and deep-sea fish that look very scary. Since a full-scale study of the trench, other than short-term dives, has not been carried out, the Mariana Trench may still hide a lot of interesting things.

Many people are interested in the question - which lake is the deepest in the world? Baikal– the most deep lake in the world. It is located in the southeastern part of Russia and occupies a vast territory of the central part of the Asian continent. Due to its greatness, the deepest lake in the world, Baikal, has several more beautiful names. A body of water is called a deep or clear eye, sacred lake, the mighty sea. Locals usually call it the Baikal Sea.
This lake stores the largest reserves of fresh water on the planet, which have a unique composition. The water is not only clean and transparent, but in terms of the content of mineral salts it can be compared to distilled water.
In area, the deepest lake in the world, Lake Baikal, is almost equal to Holland. There are several dozen islands on it. Its length is 635 km, the largest width in the center is 80 km, and the narrowest part is located in the Selenga region and is 27 km. The lake is located at an altitude of more than 450 km relative to sea level, and the length of its coast is approximately 2000 km. More than half of this coastal area is protected by the state.
More than 300 rivers fill the deepest lake in the world, Lake Baikal, with their waters; at least half of this volume falls on the Selenga River, and only the Angara flows out of it. Baikal is surrounded by mountain ranges and numerous hills. On the West Coast the terrain is more rocky and steep than on the East.

Some tourists are actively interested in where the deepest lake in the world is located? These places are famous for their picturesque landscapes and unique diversity of wildlife, which makes them interesting for tourists. The region has the status of a protected area of ​​global importance. In terms of the number of rare plants growing only in these parts, it surpasses even the flora of Madagascar and the Galapagos Islands. Numerous resorts are located here. The best time to visit the deepest lake in the world, Lake Baikal, is considered to be from the end of April to the end of October. In the summer months, tourists can make various excursions and hikes, fish, dive, hunt, relax on the beach, and in winter they are popular skiing, ice fishing and ice boating.
You can get to these places by plane or train. There are direct flights to Ulan-Ude and Irkutsk. The journey there from Moscow by plane will take 6 hours, and by train you will have to travel about 4 days. Now you know where the deepest lake in the world is.

The question of the origin of Lake Baikal has long been a source of heated debate in the scientific world and creates the ground for a variety of, sometimes fantastic, guesses and hypotheses. How was this lake formed with crystal clear water, surrounded by picturesque mountains and unique nature?
The Buryat legend tells of the Great Fire, which consumed the earth and contributed to the origin of Lake Baikal. The sea emerged from the resulting void. Scientific confirmation the legend was not found and for a long time scientists studied this problem.
Back in the eighteenth century, the Germans Palass and Georgi formulated a scientifically based assumption on this topic. They took part in the Siberian expedition, which was organized by the St. Petersburg Academy around 1970. Scientists argued that the cause of the emergence of Baikal was the failure of the land caused by a natural disaster. Most likely it was an earthquake. They believed that before the events described there was a big river, flowing into the Yenisei. It took into its channel all the waters that today flow into Lake Baikal. A century later, the Pole Yanchevsky proposed his hypothesis, basing it on data obtained during a trip to the Baikal region. He believed that this body of water was formed due to a natural disaster, after which the earth's crust began to slowly shrink.
There were many scientists who proposed their theories, but they often echoed each other and their guesses about the origin of Lake Baikal differed only in details. Vladimir Obruchev came closest to the modern understanding of the process as a result of which the Baikal Basin was formed. He suggested that it all began after the Siberian mountain system was formed. The depression was formed after the subsidence of a large area of ​​land on both sides of the gap.
In the second half of the 20th century, thanks to scientific advances, scientists made significant progress in the study of this problem. The global fault system or world rift theory, discovered at that time, brought some clarity. According to this discovery, Baikal arose as a result of processes on a planetary scale and that there are several similar formations on the surface of the earth. Tanganyika and the Red Sea are some of them.
At the end of the 20th century, scientists from many countries dealt with this problem. The Lake Baikal basin is considered one of the central links of the Baikal rift. It stretches for more than 2.5 thousand km and is located on the very border of the Eurasian and Indonesian-Australian lithospheric plates. At first it was believed that the rift appeared due to the collision of plates, but after a detailed study of new data, they found out that the reason for everything was the anomalous heating of the mantle.
The lava that floated up and spread in different directions formed massifs of mountain ranges that surround the lake. This is spreading over a plane heated to very high high temperatures magma and caused the appearance of large faults. As a result, this caused the formation of a depression, which later became Lake Baikal.
As new knowledge emerged and geophysical techniques developed, interesting details and a scientifically verified chronological sequence of the formation of this unique lake emerged.

In addition to numerous large and small streams, almost 300 rivers and streams flow into it. In addition to three navigable rivers, the Upper Angara, Barguzin and Selenga, several more can be named, especially notable for their size: Turka, Snezhnaya, Barguzin, Buguldeika. And only the only Angara carries its waters to the northwest, flowing out of the mighty lake.

Only it receives the full force of its waters from Lake Baikal and carries them through the center of Russia for hundreds of kilometers. Its width at the source is about 2 km. In this place there is a giant rock, called the Shaman Stone by the locals. As the legend says, father Baikal threw this block at his daughter running away from him. She decided to rush off to the handsome Yenisei, although her father wanted to marry her to a hero named Irkut.
The Angara, like other rivers of Lake Baikal, is a beautiful and clean river. Its length is about 1800 kilometers.

The Selenga, as a river of Lake Baikal, is the largest of all the rivers that flow into the lake. The source of the river is in Mongolia, then it flows through Russian soil, completing its path by dividing in the delta of the lake itself. It carries almost half of all the water entering Baikal.

The Upper Angara is a fast mountain river with a large number of rapids. Even when it finds itself on the plain, it continues to meander and divide, in order to later unite in a single channel. Near Baikal itself, like other rivers of Lake Baikal, it pacifies its waters and becomes calmer.

Another river of Lake Baikal flows in Buryatia, descending along a mountain range, after which it carries its restless waters along rocky rapids. In the upper reaches there is a large nature reserve. It passes through taiga valleys, a gorge and a mountain range.
This place is very attractive to fans of rafting along mountain rapids. The sections intended for this purpose do not even have a minimum category of difficulty, which means they can be passed without much risk to life. Although the river also has areas with a dangerous bottom, sharp rocks and waterfalls.
The deepest lake is an amazing, mysterious and not fully explored miracle of nature. It is fed by the same unique rivers, which carry their waters through the most beautiful regions and protected areas, preserving their pristine nature. Every effort must be made to preserve this rich supply of crystal clear water and its rare ecosystem.

There are many unusual territories on earth that combine several features that distinguish them from other places. Baikal is one of these regions. This is the cleanest lake in Russia, with perfectly clear water, which contains practically no mineral impurities. And it also has enormous depth - the greatest among all the lakes in the world.
Thanks to special geographical characteristics, this corner of nature attracts the attention of people from different parts of the planet. The maximum recorded depth of the lake is 1640 meters. With this indicator, Baikal is ahead of all lakes globe. Next after the Russian leader, Tanganyika is very much inferior to him. Its greatest depth does not exceed 160 meters. In combination with the huge area of ​​Baikal, which is equal to Holland, these gigantic scales are simply impossible to imagine.
One of the reasons for such a great depth of Lake Baikal and its area is the presence of many rivers that flow into it. The approximate number of tributaries is approximately 300. With such a significant replenishment, Baikal continues in only one river - the Angara. It should be noted that the reservoir is considered the largest natural reservoir on the planet, with perfectly clean fresh water. In terms of these parameters, even the Great Lakes in North America taken together cannot compare with it. Its waters reach a volume of 23,600 m3.
The very great depth of Lake Baikal, combined with the impressive area of ​​this lake, explains the fact that locals call it the sea. This ancient body of water on the surface of the Earth appeared as a result of complex processes occurring in the earth's crust. Approximately 25 million years have passed since its formation began. It continues now. Scientists believe that Baikal could be the beginning of the emergence of a new ocean, which should not appear tomorrow, of course, but its emergence in the future is recognized by the scientific world as a proven fact.
Due to the maximum depth of Lake Baikal and the high level of the shoreline, which is 455 meters greater than the surface of the ocean, the basin of the reservoir is deservedly defined as the deepest depression on Earth.

The water of Lake Baikal is unusually clean and transparent. Using a Secchi disk, a test was carried out, according to which the transparency of the lake was 40 meters, but, for example, in the Caspian Sea, it is not even 25 meters. Alpine reservoirs, known for their purity, are inferior to Baikal in these parameters. The transparency of a reservoir may vary depending on several factors. The river mouth and shallow waters give way to areas of great depth. Also affect seasonal changes vital activity of microflora.
Lake Baikal water meets all quality criteria drinking water. Its purity and unique properties are explained by the influence of microorganisms and vegetation. Small epishura crustaceans, which live in huge numbers in the lake, act as a biofilter. An armada of such crustaceans is capable of cleaning the upper layers 3-4 times a year. There are almost no organic impurities and dissolved substances in the reservoir.
The mineral composition of the water is very poor, not even 100 mg/liter, and includes silicon, calcium and magnesium. Other bodies of water have concentrations of similar substances ranging from 400 mg/liter. There is no hydrogen sulfide in Baikal, but oxygen is present in large quantities both in the upper layers and at the very depths. Its water has excellent qualities. Its purity can only be surpassed by water from Crater Lake in the United States, which is considered a natural analogue of the distillate.
Nowadays, only Baikal in the world is an open reservoir with water suitable for consumption, which does not require additional treatment. The ideal water of Lake Baikal is now bottled on an industrial scale. It is taken at a depth of about 410 meters. The top layers protect it from any surface contamination.
The temperature in the lake is unique. It is influenced not only climatic conditions, but also the abnormal depth of the lake. The highest water temperature is 15 degrees. As depth increases, temperature decreases. At around 25 meters it is only 10 degrees, and at a depth of 250 meters and below, the temperature is 3 - 5 degrees. Shallow water sometimes manages to warm up to 24 degrees.

Lake Baikal and its surrounding areas are one of the most unique and richest regions in terms of natural treasures. There are nature reserves, nature reserves, national parks and protected natural monuments here. Together there are about two hundred such territories. Almost the entire Baikal region is under state protection. Only in a few industrially developed areas: Baikalsk, Slyudyanka, Severobaikalsk, Kultuk and Babushkin, due to the developed industrial complex, there are no serious restrictions on the work of local enterprises.
The protection of Lake Baikal is carried out not only in the Russian Federation, since these territories are considered an object world heritage UNESCO. In Russia there is Federal Law No. 94 FZ, “On the protection of Lake Baikal”. He determined the status of protected areas, the protection regime, and the possibilities of using the natural resources of the region. Since part of the unique territory around Lake Baikal is part of China and Mongolia, there is a problem with organizing the protection of the entire complex, due to difficulties associated with the need to coordinate actions with foreign partners. The disunity of environmental services and bodies that supervise this area also has a negative impact.
The main thing that needs to be done to protect Lake Baikal is to preserve the unique natural complex in its pristine purity, which is practically no longer found in the world. We have to save amazingly beautiful places with unique climatic, geological, biosphere and other conditions in which living nature can exist. Some territories will have to remain free from many types of economic activity due to their distance from civilization. They are located in hard-to-reach areas where transport links are often lacking. Law enforcement agencies and the ranger service must provide assistance in protecting the environment and preventing hunting of rare animals and birds, illegal fishing and destruction of plants.

The uniqueness of Lake Baikal lies in its record depth, unusual geographical location, ideal purity of water and, of course, its vast territory. The lake is located in Russia, in the east of Siberia and is the natural border of two regions of the Russian Federation. With a maximum depth of 1640 m, the area of ​​Lake Baikal is 31 thousand km 2. It exceeds the size of the territories of such states as Holland or Belgium. In the world rankings of the largest lakes, it is in 6th place.
The area of ​​Lake Baikal in the center of Asia is 365 kilometers long and no less than 80 kilometers wide. This entire territory is surrounded by rows of mountain ranges and is located in a wide basin. It could accommodate waters from 92 seas, such as the Azov Sea. It contains almost 20% of the world's fresh water.
Among the coastal areas there are numerous hills. On the west, the shores are rocky and steep, while on the east coast the terrain is not so steep. In some places, mountain ranges are located tens of kilometers from the coast.
Baikal did not suffer the fate of other ancient lakes, and it did not turn into a swamp. On the contrary, its area is only increasing every year, and scientists predict that the area of ​​Lake Baikal will expand to gigantic proportions and become a new ocean.

The nature of Lake Baikal is amazing and unusual. Such a variety of animals and flora nowhere on the planet. The rarest specimens of flora and fauna are found in these parts.

Vegetable world

There are few places on earth that can evoke as much surprise and delight in a botanist as the Baikal region. Currently, science identifies about 1 thousand different plant species that grow in the vicinity of this wonderful lake. Most of them are endemic. This means that they grow only in these areas. The diverse natural conditions and multi-million-year history of these territories have preserved the local ecosystem in its original form. They determined the appearance of this magnificent nature reserve, where many relict plants are preserved that have long disappeared in other parts of our planet.
Along the banks there are pines, spruces, firs and cedars - traditional Siberian trees, and only the southern shore of the lake is decorated with blue spruces. The origin of this species still remains a mystery. Olkhon Island is located in the middle of Baikal and has relict thickets. This is mainly a spruce forest that has retained its original appearance since the Paleolithic. In the west of the lake there is a tundra-steppe, with relict plants preserved since the end of the Ice Age. The combination of special tundra plants with steppe species is not found anywhere else on the planet.
The nature of Lake Baikal pleases with a bright green carpet of herbs and flowers, covered with forest slopes, where you can often find an abundance of rare berries and fragrant wild rosemary.

Animal world

Scientists believe that the fauna of the deepest lake is ancient and consists of a large number of different animals, including very rare ones. More than 2.5 thousand species of animals live here, more than half of which are endemic. First of all, it is worth noting microscopic crustaceans called the endemic epishura, which are a biological filter. Their presence is one of the main factors influencing the crystal purity of lake water.
The deepest lake is home to 54 species of fish, and 15 of them are considered commercial. The most famous of them is omul. He lives for about 25 years. It should be noted an amazing, almost transparent fish called golomyanka. She gives birth to live larvae. No fish in the world reproduces this way.
The seal lives here - the only seal that lives in fresh water reservoirs. Also in the lake there are many sturgeon, pike, whitefish, and taimen.
A wide variety of animals and birds can be found in forest areas and on the hills of the Baikal region. They live in forests a large number of deer, marten, sable. In the mountainous regions there are sheep, and in the steppes there are marmots and gophers. A huge number of ducks live in these areas. Seagulls and cormorants nest here. Less common are geese, herons, swans, and loons. There are 7 species of eagles here.
The nature of Lake Baikal is diverse and unique. Every effort must be made to preserve this rare region for posterity.

Some people are interested in the question of which lake is the largest in the world. And strangely enough, this, which, despite its name, is the most big lake worldwide. This body of water separates the landmass of Europe and Asia.

What's special about it?

The lake does not have any current, but at the same time it is usually called the sea. The presence of a second name for a reservoir is determined by the following factors:

• dimensions
• depth
• stock features

After the formation of the largest lake in the world, numerous studies were carried out, thanks to which it was possible to find out the basic information and understand what the reservoir is and what important differences it has.
The Caspian Sea is a lake whose shape resembles the Latin letter S. The surface area of ​​the reservoir is 371 thousand square meters, the width is four hundred fifteen thousand square meters. Such dimensions lead to the fact that many countries border the Caspian Sea.
An important advantage of the reservoir is its surprisingly rich underwater world, and many of its inhabitants have acquired resistance to constant changes in the reservoir.
The reservoir includes several bays. Moreover, the largest is Kara-Bogaz-Gol (separation took place in 1980 with the help of a deep dam, and four years after the important event the result was secured with a culvert).
In addition, the lake includes the following large bays:

• Komsomolets
• Turkmen
• Mangyshlaksky
• Kazakh
• Krasnovodsk
• Agrakhansky
• Kizlyarsky

The Caspian Sea includes 50 islands of varying sizes. Moreover, some islands have an area of ​​more than 350 square meters. Some are united into island archipelagos, known as Absheron and Baku.
The Caspian Sea appeared due to oceanic processes. This is proven by the features of the bed, which consists of an oceanic crust. Moreover, the creation process dates back to distant times, because the age of the lake is already 13,000,000 years. It was then that the Alps mountains appeared, which separated the Sarmatian and Mediterranean Seas from each other. The Akchagyl Sea existed for a long period. But after this, numerous transformations of the reservoir began:
1. The Pontic Sea dried up, as a result of which only Lake Balakhani (southern part of the Caspian Sea) remained;
2. The Akchagyl Sea turned into the Absheron Sea;
The main changes associated with the reservoir occurred approximately 17,000 - 13,100 years ago. Moreover, the changes were due to transgression.
Currently, after numerous transformations, there is the Caspian Sea, which is actually a lake.
Such changes have led to the need for a thorough study of the region. As it turns out, the southern coast includes numerous caves. At the same time, scientists note that people lived in these areas approximately 75,000 years ago.
The first mention of the reservoir and the Massagetae tribe that inhabited the region can be found in Herodotus. At the same time, it was established that other tribes lived in the region: Saki, Talysh.
Handwritten documents indicate that the Russians carried out navigational operations to the Caspian Sea from the 9th – 10th centuries. The presence of such official information indicates that the lake has been attracting increased attention from the very beginning.

is the largest lake on planet Earth. A distinctive feature of the reservoir is the instability of the hydrological regime, which is caused by specific influences:

• climatic
• geological
• hydrological

On the territory of the Caspian basin, special processes take place that gradually change the lake. Scientists note that the water balance changes quite often, and changes occur over different periods of time (tens, hundreds, thousands of years).
Changes include:

• level with maximum value
• temperature regime

At the same time, researchers describe the current state of the Caspian Sea, allowing the inhabitants of the planet to understand how the largest lake in the world differs from many other bodies of water.

Water temperature

Temperature conditions fluctuate in the following ranges:

• Winter. In the southern part - +10 - +13 degrees Celsius, in the northern part - below 0 degrees Celsius
• Summer. During this season, temperatures can rise to +25 - +28 degrees Celsius

At depth, the water temperature is about +5 degrees Celsius.
In fact, water temperature is subject to significant latitudinal changes, which primarily manifest themselves in the cold season. The difference is about +10 degrees, which is a significant indicator. In fact, these indicators do not become prohibitive: in shallow water areas where the depth is less than 25 meters, the annual difference can reach even twenty-five degrees Celsius.
At the same time, we can note the average differences:
The West Coast is generally a couple Celsius warmer than the East Coast;
Open and closed parts also differ in their temperature conditions. At the same time, external influences lead to warming of up to four degrees Celsius.
Researchers note that the temperature regime of the reservoir may change over time.

Features of the climate of the Caspian Sea basin

The climate of the region in which the Caspian Sea is located encompasses 3 directions at once, which causes a significant difference in temperature at different times of the year.
In winter, the air temperature varies from minus 8 degrees Celsius in the north to plus 10 degrees Celsius in the south. Thus, the maximum difference can reach 22 degrees.
At the same time, in summer time the temperature ranges from +24 to +27 degrees Celsius, as a result of which a difference of a couple of tens is excluded. In the entire history of observations, the maximum air temperature was +44 degrees, and this important event took place on the east coast.
There is an average of 200 millimeters of precipitation per year, but the figures for different parts of the region vary significantly:
The eastern part is always characterized by dry weather. As a result, the indicator does not exceed millimeters;
The southwestern region boasts 1,700 millimeters.
It should be noted that water can evaporate quite actively from the surface of the lake. This has a positive impact on the climate of the region. Successful evaporation of water ensures proper water circulation, thereby preventing large fluctuations in humidity levels.
The average annual wind speed in the region ranges from three to seven meters per second. In this case, the northern direction is predominant. It should be noted that in the cold months of the year, wind gusts sometimes reach forty meters per second.
The windiest areas are traditionally considered to be:

• Absheron Peninsula
• Makhachkala
• Derbent

It is in this area that the highest windiness rates can be recorded. The region's climate features are largely determined by the influence of the Caspian Sea.

Currents

The Northern Caspian Sea plays the most important role in shaping the climate of the region. In this case, the main direction of the flow occurs from the northern side of the reservoir.

Salinity of water

Salinity ranges from 0.3% (the minimum value). This characteristic is recorded near the mouth of the Volga. The salinity indicator suggests that the Northern Caspian Sea is a desalinated sea basin. At the same time, in the southeast the salinity indicator reaches 13%. The maximum rate is recorded in the Kara-Bogaz-Gol Bay, where it already reaches 300%.

Lake relief

The Caspian Sea has a specific bottom topography, which is divided into three types:
Shelf;
Continental slope;
Deep-sea depressions.
How were all the above types of relief distributed?
The shelf starts from the coastline and extends to a depth of 100 meters. Moreover, below its border the continental slope begins, the depth of which, depending on the region of the lake, ranges from 500 to 750 meters;
The coast has low-lying terrain. At the same time, the banks have gentle slopes and rugged places;
The Middle Caspian includes a mountainous coast, which has practically no rugged shape;
The eastern part is elevated;
The Southern Caspian has mountainous areas. At the same time, the coastline is more rugged.
The Caspian Sea and its relief belong to a zone of increased seismicity. It should be noted that in the region in which the lake is located, eruptions often occur. mud volcanoes located at the southern point of the reservoir.

Characteristics of the reservoir

Historians and scientists indicate that the area and volume of water can change significantly. Both factors have a major impact on water level fluctuations.
What examples can you give? For example, when a reservoir rises, it can account for up to 78 and a half thousand cubic kilometers. Moreover, in this case, the volume indicator reaches about 44% of all lake water reserves.
The maximum depth is 1025 meters. This indicator was recorded in the South Caspian depression. It should be noted that the Caspian Sea ranks third in depth. The leader is Baikal with an indicator of 1620 meters, as well as Tanganyika with 1435 meters. It is important to note that the northern part is a shallow section of the reservoir, because the maximum depth never exceeds twenty-five meters.

Fluctuation of water in a pond

Historical studies confirm that lake water levels can fluctuate significantly. At the same time, scientists and historians record the features of changes in water levels.
Throughout the history of the reservoir, frequent changes in its characteristics have been observed. It should be noted that in the Middle Ages the highest levels of water height were recorded. Despite this, the process is continuous, the tendency for the water level in the lake to decrease and increase constantly replaces each other, which indicates circulation and the preservation of water balance. Any recorded indicator cannot be final.
Measurements have been taken on a regular basis since 1837, with researchers using special instruments for regular checks. Scientists note that the trend towards a decrease and increase in the overall water level changed many times, and these changes occurred at different intervals.
Serious fluctuations are caused by a whole chain of factors, which are divided into the following areas. Researchers note that in the future, fluctuations in the water of the Caspian Sea should continue, but at the same time the safety of the reservoir is guaranteed.

Features of water balance cycles

Surface currents determine complex cyclones that replace each other. Significant differences are noted in each part of the Caspian Sea. It should be noted that the lake is a turbulent body of water. For example, changes in atmospheric pressure and direction, wind speed always lead to fluctuations in water levels. The changes in characteristics are most pronounced in the shallow part of the reservoir, because surges during stormy weather can even reach four meters.
The instability of the lake means that the climate pattern is also subject to serious changes.
The water balance is always determined by the characteristics of the flow and atmospheric influences, the volume of evaporating liquid from the surface of the reservoir. At the same time, the Kara-Bogaz-Gol Bay belongs to the discharge part of the reservoir. The most important role is played by the Volga runoff, which belongs to the incoming part. The flow of the Volga can reach about 80% of the influx of river waters for the formation of the Caspian Sea.

Water composition

The Caspian Sea has a closed structure and unique composition. At the same time, serious differences in proportions are noted for waters in areas that are under the influence of continental runoff.
Constant water fluctuations and changes in water balance prevent chloride levels from rising.
This includes regular increases in the following components:

• Carbonates
• Calcium
• Sulfates

The three components listed above occupy an important place in any river waters. The composition of water also changes under the influence of complex cyclic factors.

The largest lake is usually called the Caspian Sea and many are interested in the question: where is the largest lake in the world? This body of water is located in the part of the world where Europe and Asia meet. Thus, the lake belongs to Eurasia.
The water area is divided into three large parts, which have the characteristics of the climatic region, the unique characteristics of the reservoir and its water balance:

• The Northern Caspian Sea occupies 25% of the territory
• The Middle Caspian has 36%
• The South Caspian has 39% of the total installed area

It is important to note that the reservoir is characterized by serious fluctuations in depth. For example, the northern part accounts for up to 22 meters, and the southern part – up to 1025 meters. Moreover, a depth of less than one meter is recorded in 20% of the Northern Caspian Sea. Despite such fluctuations, the Caspian still ranks third in the world in depth.
The large size of the Caspian Sea means that as many as five countries belonging to Eurasia touch the lake along their borders:

• Russia
• Azerbaijan
• Kazakhstan
• Turkmenistan

This information proves that the lake actually occupies an important place on the world map.
Caspian basin
Four more states are included in the Caspian basin: Armenia, Georgia, Türkiye, and Uzbekistan. Each country has direct access to the Caspian Sea.
The basin includes more than one hundred and thirty rivers, with the Volga being the largest. It is the Volga River that connects the Caspian Sea and the World Ocean. The Volga and all its river tributaries are regulated by existing reservoirs, which are formed by hydroelectric dams.
The Caspian basin also includes additional rivers that guarantee the maintenance of the water balance of the world's largest lake. At the same time, the most important remains the Volga, which flows through Europe.
It should be noted that the eastern coast of the Caspian Sea can no longer boast of a developed hydrographic network. The Emba and Ural rivers flow into Kazakhstan. There is one watercourse in Turkmenistan that is not permanent, but still worth noting: the Atrek River. Iran is distinguished by its connection to the Caspian Sea and several rivers. Despite the fact that connections still exist in east direction, their total length turns out to be significantly less.

Cities of the Caspian Sea

The largest port city located on the Caspian Sea is the capital of Azerbaijan, Baku. The city is located in the south of the Absheron Peninsula. It should be noted that in 2010, 2,500,000 people lived in Baku.
The following large cities are also connected to the Caspian Sea:
Sumgayit, Lankaran (Azerbaijan);
Turkmenbashi (Turkmenistan);
Aktau, Atyrau (Kazakhstan);
Kaspiysk, Makhachkala, Astrakhan (Russia).
This geographical position, and, accordingly, the relationship with rivers, countries and cities, indicates that the Caspian Sea is actually the most big lake in the world.
Features of the development of the Caspian Sea
The economic development of the Caspian Sea has been of interest to society since ancient times. This is evidenced by historical information. Currently, people have achieved good results.

Features of the story

Research into the reservoir began for the first time in 285 BC. At the same time, the corresponding events were carried out by the Greeks. After the first attempt, the work was postponed for a long time.
Nowadays, efforts began thanks to Peter the Great, who organized an expedition in 1714 almost to whole year. Hydrographic research was then carried out in the 1720s with the help of Russian and foreign researchers.
At first XIX century The opportunity for instrumental survey has already appeared, thanks to which it was possible to thoroughly analyze the features of the geography of the reservoir and the region.
In 1866, 50 years of research began. The main objective was the desire to enrich knowledge regarding hydrobiology and hydrology.
The most active research began in the late 1890s. At the same time, Soviet geologists made every effort to understand the peculiarities of fluctuations in the level of the reservoir, study the water balance and find oil.
Numerous expeditions made it possible to begin using the Caspian Sea for the benefit of the entire world society.

Development results

How can the Caspian Sea be used for the benefit of the people?
Gas and oil production. Numerous deposits with a special purpose are being developed on the territory of the Caspian Sea. To date, oil and gas condensate resources amount to about twenty billion tons, and half of this volume is oil. The extraction of valuable minerals has been carried out since the 1820s, but it was possible to reach an industrial level only in the second half of the 19th century.
The Caspian shelf, which is included in the water basin, is used for the extraction of salt, stone, sand, clay, and limestone.
The developed network allows the use of the Caspian Sea for shipping.
The lake has a rich water world. This is used for the active development of fisheries. It should be noted that more than 90% of sturgeon can be caught in this region. To date, fishing and the extraction of valuable caviar have been successfully developed. At the same time, seal fishing is also developing at a rapid pace.
Recreational resources are another advantage associated with the Caspian region. The special water composition and unique balance, beneficial climate allow the successful development of a number of resorts, but at the same time economic, political and religious peculiarities eastern states do not allow full use recreational resources Caspian region, due to the unique characteristics of the sea-lake.
The Caspian Sea is the largest and most important lake in the world, which justifies its position and increased attention to itself.

TOP 10 deepest lakes in the world

If you didn’t already know which lake is the deepest in the world and where the deepest lake in the world is located, then you should check out the TOP 10. Baikal is a legendary lake. It has been written about in various sources; the reservoir is extremely loved by travelers and researchers. Every year, amazing discoveries are made on Lake Baikal, expeditions are conducted, and research is carried out. This lake holds an impressive number of different world records.
The deepest lake is considered one of the oldest on the planet, and it is also the deepest in the world. The average depth is 730 meters, and the maximum elevation is 1637 meters. Since 1996, Baikal has been on the UNESCO list as a world heritage site.
The origin of the lake is still debated today. Scientists have not reached a consensus on the age of the reservoir, which is estimated at approximately 25-35 million years. This is why Baikal is considered a unique body of water, because others glacial lakes“live” on average 10-15 thousand years, gradually becoming swampy.
A distinctive feature of the deepest lake in the world is the fact that it contains about 19% of the world's fresh water reserves. This is an impressive amount, which is not found in any other body of water in the world. The transparency of the lake also attracts attention. Inhabitants or various objects can be seen at a depth of up to 40 meters. At the same time, the water contains a minimum amount of mineral salts, on average the value reaches 100 mg per liter. All this makes it possible to use Baikal water as distilled water.
In total, there are about 2630 species of inhabitants of both plants and animals. However, most of them are endemic. In other words, you can only meet them here. The abundance of living organisms can be explained by the impressive oxygen content in the water column. Among all animals, the golomyanka is distinguished. This fish contains less than 30% fat. The epishura crustacean is also a surprising inhabitant, of which there are over 300 species. Among the mammals, it is worth highlighting the seal, which is called the Baikal seal.
It is interesting that the water reserves in Lake Baikal are so impressive that they could supply all the inhabitants of the world for 40 long years. Scientists are still doing research today Baikal ice, which is fraught with many mysteries. Its distinctive feature is its unusual shape. It can be found exclusively on Lake Baikal. If you see the lake from space, you will notice dark rings in the pictures. Their origin is this moment are not known, although scientists make many guesses. Answering the question which lake is the deepest in the world, there is no doubt that it is Baikal.

All the deepest lakes in the world are of interest, and Tanganyika is a special lake that has a personal status in Africa. Its location is known to local residents throughout the mainland. A distinctive feature of Lake Tanganyika is its amazing fauna and flora, as well as its impressive dimensions. The waters of the lake are located in the East African Rift, which is a narrow valley with an impressive length. The crescent shape and proximity to the mountains make the area surprisingly picturesque.
Lake Tanganyika feeds the great Congo River. This is done through the Lukuga River. However, Tanganyika does not belong to the Congo Basin. The lake holds one of the world records as the longest freshwater body of water. Moreover, it is located above the sea at an altitude of 773 meters. The total length reaches 673 kilometers, and the width at its largest point is 72 kilometers. The depth of the reservoir is quite impressive and is 1470 meters, which makes the lake the second deepest in the world. Throughout the entire reservoir, the average depth reaches 570 meters.
The volume of water in Lake Tanganyika is 18.9 thousand cubic meters, which also puts the lake in second place in the world ranking. The total area exceeds 32 thousand square kilometers. The coastline has an impressive length and is 1828 kilometers. The reservoir basin also includes streams and rivers. In general, Lake Tanganyika is often called the “African pearl”, because it owns great amount world records.
It is surrounded on different sides by four countries. This is Zambia Democratic Republic Congo, Burundi, Tanzania. Communication with Atlantic Ocean also available via the Congo and Lukuga rivers. Interestingly, Tanganyika has an impressive age of 10-12 million years. Over the entire impressive period of history, the lake has never dried up. As a result, an unusual underwater world was formed, the likes of which are not found in any corner of the planet.
There is no full circulation of water in the lake; the reason is the impressive depth, as well as the absence of bottom currents. As a result, a high amount of hydrogen sulfide is concentrated in the lower layers of water. Already at a depth of 200 meters, the so-called “dead zone” begins. There is no life here due to the lack of oxygen. There is an impressive variety of fish species near the surface of the water. There are especially many cichlids here. They are present in 250 species, of which about 98% live exclusively in this lake.

When answering the question which lake is the largest in the world or where is the largest lake in the world, you will be somewhat surprised. The Caspian Sea is an unusual body of water with an unusual name. In fact, this sea has no connection with the World Ocean; it is located at a considerable distance from it. In the north and east the sea borders the desert area, south coast is represented by lowlands, and the western by the mountain ranges of the Greater Caucasus. The reservoir is surrounded on all sides by land, which is why it is called a “sea-lake.”
A distinctive feature is the different bottom topography. In the northern part there is shallow water, in the central and southern part there are depressions and an underwater threshold. Interesting feature it can also be said that the Caspian Sea is located in more than one climatic zone. Northern part The sea is represented by a continental climate, the western - temperate, the eastern - desert, the southwestern - subtropical humid.
This climatic feature leads to the fact that the sea “behaves” differently at different times of the year. In winter, strong winds and low temperatures prevail here, reaching a maximum of 8-10 degrees below zero in the air. In spring, northwest winds reign here. In summer, air masses circulate insignificantly, and near the coast the wind may increase. Temperatures in summer can rise to a maximum of 27-28 degrees above zero. We can conclude that winter on the Caspian Sea is cold and windy, and summer is windy and hot.
The volume of river flow varies significantly throughout the year. It reaches its maximum in spring and early summer. Spring floods may occur. Today, the water resources of the lake are actively used by people, reservoirs and hydroelectric power stations are being built. All this has led to the fact that the water level in the Caspian Sea has dropped somewhat today.
The lake is mainly fed by river water. Among the rivers that flow into the Caspian Sea are the Ural, Volga and Terek. It is these three rivers that bring about 90% of the river flow. About 9% of the rivers flow from the western side and only 1% from the rivers of the Iranian coast. There are also tidal waves in the lake, which are noticeable especially in November and December. It is during this period of time that sea level can increase by an average of 2-3 meters. In summer, sea level remains virtually unchanged.
An impressive number of fish species live here. As a result, fishing and fish farming are actively developing here. In particular, there is a lot of sturgeon fish, and oil has recently been discovered in the Caspian Sea.

San Martin- a body of water located in the state of Santa Cruz in Argentina. San Martin, like other deepest lakes in the world, amazes with its impressive dimensions, which makes it one of the largest in the world. It is also the deepest on the continent of South America. The lake occupies the territory between Chile and Argentina, located right on the border. Interestingly, the reservoir also has another name for its Argentine part. He was given a "name" in honor of José de San Martin, who is a national hero.
The area of ​​the reservoir reaches 1010 square meters, and the maximum depth is 836 meters. The shape of the lake is uneven and “ragged”; it is additionally represented by eight branches. The main tributary is the Mayer River, which flows into Lake San Martin and the Chico and O'Higgins glaciers, and there are also small streams. Only one river, Pascua, flows out of the reservoir.
Around the lake there are picturesque views of the pampas, and also amazing snowy peaks. The area is distinguished by its rich flora and fauna, especially many species of birds and animals. A huge number of trout live here, so sport fishing competitions are often held. Lake San Martin is amazingly clean, the water in it can change its hue from green to deep blue.
Nearby there is the town of El Chaltén, which is called the tourist center of the region. Everything here is arranged so that travelers can relax and explore the lake comfortably. There are information centers, travel agencies, souvenir shops, as well as camping-type hotels. Additionally, there is the opportunity to choose a walking tour along the coast of San Martin. Also offered are boat trips and extreme trips to the snowy peaks of the nearby Andes mountains.
There are also full-fledged attractions on the coast of Lake San Martin. These include the luxurious Nahuel Huapi estate. Guests of the lake can take time to explore the grounds of the estate. For this purpose, horseback riding tours are offered, which give incredible pleasure from the trip.
Lake San Martin reaches 1058 square kilometers. The reservoir is located above sea level, at an altitude of 250 meters. The coastline is quite impressive and reaches 525 kilometers in length. The lake is considered the deepest in America. Here you can always meet tourists and local residents, photographers and artists who come here to admire the picturesque and magnificent views of the territory.

One of the largest African reservoirs and the deepest lakes in the world is called Nyasa. It was located in East Africa in the Great Rift Valley. The length of the lake reaches 560 kilometers, and its width can be a maximum of 80 kilometers. The depth is quite impressive and reaches 704 meters. This allows Lake Nyasa to take fifth place in the world ranking of the deepest bodies of water. The reservoir was discovered in 1616 by Bucarro travelers from Portugal.
The name of the reservoir is quite standard. It was chosen in the Yao language, and in translation it means “lake”. Nyasa is located on the territory of several countries - Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania, occupying their borders. A distinctive feature is the coastal topography, which is represented by spatial beaches and steep shores. The plains in the northwestern part of Lake Nyasa have special expanses, where the plains amaze with their picturesqueness.
At the same place the Songwe River flows into the lake. In addition, the reservoir feeds 14 rivers, among which are the Bua, Ruhuhu, Lilongwe, and Rukuru. The only river that flows from the reservoir is the river with the sonorous name Shire. The water of Lake Nyasa has different temperatures, ranging from warm to cool. The lake amazes with its rich fauna, so fishing is active here. In total, it contributes about 4% of Malawi's GDP. Nyasa is home to a huge number of different species of fish, as well as crocodiles and whooper eagles. All this emphasizes the uniqueness of the lake. Crocodiles and whooper eagles hunt fish.
Lake Nyasa is a natural attraction that amazes with its picturesqueness and originality. This is precisely why it attracts the attention of travelers from all over the world. The reservoir itself ranks third in Africa and is among the five deepest in the world. Today, shipping is developed here; the main ports include Karonga, Chipoka, Monkey Bay, Nkota Kota, Bandawe, Mwaya, and Metangula.
The Lake Nyasa basin is sparsely populated. The majority of people live around south coast Nyasa. The western and northern coasts have a very sparse population with little economic activity. There is a hydroelectric power station on the outflowing Shira River. It becomes the main source of electricity. Very often, the country's energy sector suffers due to the instability of the lake. The greatest shortage was observed in 1997, when the lake level was at its lowest.

Kyrgyzstan– an amazingly picturesque country that abounds in luxurious territories. Lake Issyk-Kul especially attracts attention. This reservoir is considered one of the largest in the world. Interestingly, in terms of water transparency, this reservoir is in second position in the world ranking, second only to Lake Baikal. Issyk-Kul is considered the pearl of both Kyrgyzstan itself and Central Asia. The lake is salty and mild winters prevent the reservoir from freezing even in winter. A distinctive feature is the amazing surrounding beauty, which attracts the attention of tourists from all over the world.
Lake Issyk-Kul is located in the Northern Tien Shan, occupying the territory between two ridges. Their maximum height is 5200 meters in height. On their slopes on the northern side there are spruce forests, and on the southern side there is steppe vegetation. The lake is fed by rivers, of which there are about 80 in total. Among the main ones are Zhuuku, Zhyr-galan, Tyup, Ak-Terek, Tong and some others. Most rivers are fed by glaciers.
I wonder what appearance The river looks unexpected from space. The astronauts themselves claim this. Along with the Great Wall of China and the pyramids of Cheops, Lake Issyk-Kul is distinguished. From space at such an impressive height, it resembles a human eye.
Not a single river flows out of the reservoir. This leads to the fact that the water in the river is salty, as minerals accumulate. However, in terms of salinity, the reservoir is significantly inferior sea ​​water on average five and a half times. However, the type of mineralization is considered quite valuable, which belongs to the chloride-sulfate-sodium-magnesium type.
The water is permeated with oxygen, which makes it light and transparent. It is unusually reminiscent of the ocean or sea. There are many different legends associated with this lake. One of them says that at the bottom of the reservoir there are ruins ancient city, who was distinguished by his beautiful appearance. The color of the water is unusual. It can change shades from soft blue to dark blue.
Lake Issyk-Kul has an impressive history. The first mention dates back to the chronicles of the second century BC. They call the reservoir Zhe-Hai, which means “warm sea” in Chinese. Most likely, this name was given due to the fact that the lake does not freeze. Scientific study of the flora and fauna of the reservoir, as well as the composition of the water, began in the 19th century. Many scientists were so interested in the nature of this place that they bequeathed to bury themselves on its coast.

Great Slave Lake is an amazing body of water that amazes with its spaciousness and picturesqueness. The name Slave is of unknown origin and most experts are inclined to believe that it was not given to him by chance. The reservoir itself is located in Canada and in its dimensions it can easily compete with the largest lakes in the world, including the Great American Lakes.
The depth of the large Slave Lake is about 614 meters. For the North American continent, this figure is considered the maximum. The reservoir ranks seventh in the world rankings. Navigation is organized on Slave Lake in the summer, but in winter it is under ice. It is so strong that cars can easily drive on it. Until recently, the road on frozen ice was the only one until a full-fledged highway was built.
Great Slave Lake is completely covered with ice for seven to eight months of the year, starting in November and ending in June. Interestingly, the lake itself appeared during global cooling. For most of the year it reminds of this time. A distinctive feature is the picturesque surrounding area, which attracts the attention of tourists. The shores are decorated with dense tundra forests. The seething streams of water that can be seen between the rocks look spectacular.
Gold diggers are usually attracted to northern shores reservoirs. It will be of interest to adventure lovers who dream of learning about the formation of the city of Yellowknife. It arose precisely during the gold rush. Before this, the coast of the lake was inhabited exclusively by Indians, namely the Slave tribe. It is interesting that the name of the tribe translated into Russian means “slave” or “slave”.
It was from this tribe that the name of the lake came about, as most researchers believe. However, after lengthy studies of this fact, it was discovered that the Slave tribe had nothing in common with slaves. Representatives of the tribe are brave, courageous and strong people. Today the tribe consists of about ten thousand people. They all live on the coast of this reservoir.
In length, the Great Slave Lake reaches 480 kilometers, and in width the reservoir reaches from 19 to 225 kilometers. Several rivers flow into the lake, in particular the Slave, Snowdrift, Hay, Tolson, and Yellowknife. Only one river flows out of the lake - the Mackenzie. The area of ​​the reservoir reaches 28.5 thousand square kilometers with a volume of over 1,500 cubic meters.

– one of the most amazing natural sites in the world. The formation of this reservoir occurred after the eruption of the Mount Mazama volcano. This happened over seven thousand years ago. A distinctive feature of the lake is its deep blue hue and the incredible beauty of the surrounding landscape. This place is considered one of the most picturesque in the world. Not every lake evokes such a storm of emotions as Crater.
The depth of Crater Lake reaches 594 meters. This explains its rich dark blue hue. The cleanliness of the surrounding area and its environmental friendliness are also attractive. Here you can often meet tourists who come to admire the beauty. You can also see photographers and artists trying to capture the picturesqueness.
The history of the lake began about twelve thousand years ago. It was then that people began to live here for the first time and saw the volcanic eruption. The result was Crater Lake. It was unknown to Europeans for quite a long time. It was found for the first time by John Fremont, who led the expedition of 1843-1846. Gradually they began to explore the lake, and they found a lake here. It changed its name several times. The modern one was consolidated only in 1869.
Many researchers wonder why the water appeared at the top of the mountain. Most experts are inclined to believe that this has been happening for centuries. This happened gradually by filling the lake with snow and rain. The lake is a bowl of a volcano.
Interestingly, the lake has many different attractions. One of them is a ghost ship. This is an island that reaches 48 meters in height. It is formed from volcanic lava and resembles a ship in its silhouette. Another attraction is Halman Peak. This is a volcanic cone, whose age exceeds 70 thousand years. It was named after the researcher who first discovered this lake.
Also worth highlighting is the Sorcerer's Island, located on the island. His name is given to him in honor of the wizard's hat, which he resembles. It is extremely beautiful and reaches 233 meters in height. There are also pinnacles of the Pinnacles, which were the result of volcanic gases and erosion. Crater Lake today is part of the park. Everything has been created here for the convenience of tourists to provide them with a comfortable exploration of the picturesque area.

Lakes are extremely important for our planet, as they contain an impressive amount of fresh water. One of the most interesting and attention-grabbing lakes is Lake Buenos Aires and Matano. Matano is a lake located in Indonesia. In its own country it is an important source of fresh water. The lake is located in the south of the island of Sulawesi. The area of ​​the reservoir is impressive and reaches 164 square kilometers, and its depth is 590 meters.
A distinctive feature of Lake Buenos Aires and Matano is the crystal clarity of the water. Those who have been here claim that you can easily see everything that happens at a depth of 20-25 meters. An interesting feature is the unique flora. This is where an impressive number of fish live, whose ancestors swam here several thousand years ago.
The picturesque area around the lake is also attractive. It is represented by mountains and tropical forests. For the convenience of vacationers, beaches with snow-white sand are organized here. Diving is also offered on the lake. A huge number of divers gather here who dream of admiring the beauty of the underwater world. An extraordinary feature of Matano is the presence of two levels of water column. The first has a high percentage of oxygen content, and the second lacks sulfates and contains iron in excess. Many scientists compare this composition with the oceanic one, which is quite atypical for lakes.
Lake Buenos Aires and Matano is located on the border of Chile and Argentina. It has the same depth as Matano, reaching 590 meters. The total area of ​​the reservoir is 1850 square kilometers. The origin and feeding of the lake is glacial, and it is located directly in the Patagonian Andes. In South America, Buenos Aires is considered the deepest body of water, and ranks ninth in the world rankings.
The main feature is the excellent ecology and crystal clear water. Also, Lake Buenos Aires and Matano are notable for the presence marble caves. They have amazing beautiful view, which attracts tourists from all over the world. The color of the water, which consists of shades of turquoise and emerald, also looks interesting.
There are an impressive number of cities and towns near the lake. This is due to the excellent climate and picturesque area. Excursions are often organized here so that tourists have the opportunity to admire the magnificent appearance of the marble caves. You can only see the beauty in person, as photographs cannot convey it.

– an amazing body of water that attracts attention. It has not yet been fully studied, so official parameters have not been established. Today it is believed that the depth of the lake reaches 514 meters, but this is not an accurate indicator. However, it also allows Hornindalsvatnet to be the deepest lake in both Norway and all of Europe. In the world rankings, the lake occupies tenth position.
In the 90s of the 20th century, the Telenor company began studying the lake. Previously, it was the official telephone company of the country. Telenor planned to lay optical fibers directly along the bottom of Lake Hornindalsvatnet. At this moment, the depth was declared to be 612 meters. If this figure is officially confirmed, the lake will take seventh position in the world ranking.
Lake Hornindalsvatnet has no other outstanding characteristics. Its water volume reaches 12 cubic meters at total area surface of 50 square meters. These are quite modest dimensions even for Norway. The lake ranks 19th in the country in terms of volume and area.
The location of the lake is of interest. It is located in the Norwegian province in western Norway. This is the Atlantic coast in the county of Sogn ok Fjordane. Hornindalsvatnet is located 53 meters above the sea, and Hornindal is located on its shore. This is the administrative center of the commune. The town is quite small and has only a few hotels.
A distinctive feature of the lake is its crystal clear water. Throughout Scandinavia, Lake Hornindalsvatnet is considered the cleanest lake. This is explained by the fact that the water supply of the reservoir is not connected with rivers. The main source of food is glaciers. Here everyone can go fishing, because the fauna of the reservoir is truly unique. You can find quite rare varieties of fish that are not found in other bodies of water in Norway. However, their fishing is not prohibited.
The landscape is also noteworthy, distinguished by its beauty and picturesqueness. Many consider this place to be the pearl of the country, so excursions are often organized here. Also, a Marathon is held on the lake every year in mid-summer, in which an impressive number of people take part. This is a race over an impressive distance, reaching 42 kilometers and 195 meters. If you wish, you can simply relax here, swim and sunbathe on the beach. You can also try your hand at rowing, which is developed on Hornindalsvatnet.

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Today we will talk about the deepest oceanic place on the planet - the Mariana Trench and its deepest point - the Challenger Deep.

“The Mariana Trench (or Mariana Trench) is an oceanic deep-sea trench in the western Pacific Ocean, the deepest known on Earth. Named after the nearby Mariana Islands.

The deepest point of the Mariana Trench is the Challenger Deep. It is located in the southwestern part of the depression, 340 km southwest of the island of Guam (point coordinates: 11°22′N 142°35′E (G) (O)). According to measurements in 2011, its depth is 10,994 ± 40 m below sea level.

The deepest point of the depression, called the Challenger Deep, is further from sea level than Mount Everest is above it.”

Many people know from school that the depth of the Mariana Trench is 11 km, and this is the deepest place on the planet. However, with a slight amendment, it is the deepest known. That is, theoretically there could be even deeper depressions... but they are still unknown. Even the most high mountain in the world - Everest - can easily fit into the gutter and there will still be room left.

The Mariana Trench is rich in records and titles: and it became famous not only for its depth, but also for its mystery, scary inhabitants underwater depths, “monsters” guarding the earth’s bottom, secrets, the unknown, primordiality, darkness, etc. In general, Space Inside Out is the bottom of the Mariana Trench. There are versions that life began in the Mariana Trench.

MARIANA TRENCH. PuzzlesMarianadepressions:

In the video they show and tell that at such a great depth the pressure is higher than from powder gases when fired from a hunting rifle, about 1100 times more than atmospheric pressure: 108.6 MPa (Mariana Trench - bottom) by 104 MPa (powder gases). Glass and wood turn into powder under such conditions.

Still, it is not clear then how there is life and sinister underwater monsters, about which there are legends?

The length of the trench along the Mariana Islands is 1.5 km.

“It has a V-shaped profile: steep (7-9°) slopes, a flat bottom 1-5 km wide, which is divided by rapids into several closed depressions.

The depression is located at the junction of two tectonic plates, in the zone of movement along faults, where the Pacific plate goes under the Philippine plate.”

The Mariana Trench was discovered in 1875:

“The first measurements (and discovery) of the Mariana Trench were taken in 1875 from the British three-masted corvette Challenger. Then, with the help of a deep-sea lot, the depth was established at 8367 meters (with repeated sounding - 8184 m).

In 1951, an English expedition on the research vessel Challenger recorded a maximum depth of 10,863 meters using an echo sounder.”

Back in 1951, this point was given the name Challenger Deep.

Later, during several expeditions, the depth of the Mariana Trench was established to be more than 11 km; the last measurement (late 2011) recorded a depth of 10,994 m (+/- 40 m):

“According to the results of measurements carried out in 1957 during the 25th voyage of the Soviet research vessel “Vityaz” (headed by Alexey Dmitrievich Dobrovolsky), the maximum depth of the trench is 11,023 m (updated data, initially the depth was reported as 11,034 m).

On January 23, 1960, Don Walsh and Jacques Piccard dived in the bathyscaphe Trieste. They recorded a depth of 10,916 m, which also became known as the "Trieste depth".

The unmanned Japanese submarine Kaiko collected soil samples from this location in March 1995 and recorded a depth of 10,911 m.

On May 31, 2009, the unmanned submarine Nereus took soil samples at this location. The collected mud mostly consists of foraminifera. This dive recorded a depth of 10,902 m.

More than two years later, on December 7, 2011, researchers at the University of New Hampshire published the results of an underwater robot dive that recorded a depth of 10,994 m (+/- 40 m) using sound waves.

And yet, despite many obstacles, difficulties, and dangers, three people in the entire history of the Mariana Trench managed to reach the bottom, naturally, while in special devices. On March 26, 2012, director James Cameron single-handedly reached the bottom of the Abyss on the Deepsea Challenger.

Channel One's story "James Cameron - diving to the bottom of the Mariana Trench":

And here is Jace Cameron's film "Challenging the Abyss 3D|Journey to the Bottom of the Mariana Trench":

The film was created in collaboration with National Geographic, created in a documentary format. Before some of his box-office creations (like Titanic), the director also sank to the bottom of the depths to the place of events, so before his “visit” of the Mariana Trench in 2012, many were waiting for either a grandiose masterpiece, or a video with monsters living in the darkness of the ocean .

The film is a documentary, but the main thing is that Cameron did not see giant octopuses, monsters, “leviathans”, multi-headed creatures there, although for the first time he spent more than three hours at the bottom of the Mariana Trench. There were small marine derivatives no more than 2.5 cm... but those same outlandish flat fish, huge creatures that bite the steel cable were not there... although he was not there for 12 minutes.

To questions about whether the director saw any terrible creature at the bottom of the depression, he answered: “Probably everyone would like to hear that I saw some kind of sea monster, but it wasn’t there... There was nothing living, more than 2- 2.5 cm".

Public reaction to Cameron's film The Abyss was mixed. Some people thought the film was boring and could not be compared with his works like “Titanic”, “Avatar”, someone said that the film was real and in its “boringness” it showed the way of interaction between one of the seven billion people on the planet and the deepest abyss.

From reviews of the film:

“Of course, the content of the film can hardly be called exciting. The viewer spends most of the time in endless tedious meetings and tests in the laboratory. But I believe that this difficult and long path from a dream to its realization had to be shown. It is he who most inspires us to work for our idea.”

I mentioned the film precisely because the path that led the director to the creation of the creation is the basis for the interaction of the secrets of nature and mortal man.

People are frightened and attracted by the unknown, rebellion, depth, danger, mortality, mystery, eternity, loneliness, independence of the depths, distances, heights of nature. And the title of the film - “Challenge to the Abyss...” - is naturally not without reason: at a certain stage of potential development, a person either wants to touch the unknown, or completely forget about its existence, to live in everyday life.

Cameron, having the opportunity and zeal, decided to take this leap into depth. This is the desire to rise to a level close to God, and pride, and to perpetuate this abyss in oneself and to perpetuate oneself in the abyss, understanding the frailty of matter and much more.

Many people look in and are interested, some out of curiosity, some out of nothing to do. But only a few will dare to come close.

Let us recall the famous saying of F. Nietzsche: “If you gaze into an abyss for a long time, the abyss will begin to peer into you,” or another translation: “For a person who gazes into an abyss for a long time, the abyss begins to live in his eyes,” or the full text of the quote: “Who fights with monsters, he should be careful not to become a monster himself. And if you look into the abyss for a long time, then the abyss also looks into you.” Here we are talking about the dark sides of the soul and the world, if you attract evil, evil will attract you, although there are many interpretation options.

But the very words “abyss” and “abyss” imply something dangerous, dark, akin to the source of dark forces. There are a lot of legends around the Mariana Trench, legends that are far from good, whoever came up with anything: monsters live there, and monsters of unknown etiology can swallow alive deep-sea research vehicles with or without people, gnaw through 20-centimeter cables, and creepy devilish creatures seem to in hell they scurry between the black waves of the deep, terrify extremely rare human guests, and in circles discussing the deepest trench, versions are expressed that people who knew how to breathe under water used to live here, and almost life originated here, etc. People want to see darkness in this abyss. And, in general, they see her...

Before the conquest of the Mariana Abyss by Cameron, a similar attempt was made in 1960:

“On January 23, 1960, Jacques Piccard and US Navy Lieutenant Don Walsh dived into the Mariana Trench to a depth of 10,920 meters on the bathyscaphe Trieste. The dive took about 5 hours, and the time spent at the bottom was 12 minutes. This was an absolute depth record for manned and unmanned vehicles.

Two researchers then discovered at a terrible depth only 6 species of living creatures, including flat fish up to 30 cm in size.”

Whether the monsters were afraid of James Cameron, or they were not in the mood to pose for the camera that day, or whether there really was no one there, will remain a mystery, however, during previous underwater expeditions, including those without the participation of people, various forms of life, fish, hitherto never seen, strange creatures, creatures similar to monsters, giant octopuses. But let's not forget that “monsters” are just unexplored creatures.

Several times, vehicles without people descended into the depths of the Mariana Trench (with people only twice), for example, on May 31, 2009, the automatic underwater vehicle Nereus sank to the bottom of the Mariana Trench. According to measurements, it fell 10,902 meters below sea level. At the bottom, Nereus filmed a video, took some photographs, and even collected sediment samples at the bottom.

Here are some photos of those whom the expedition cameras met at the depths of the Mariana Trench:

The photo shows the bottom of the Mariana Trench:

“The mystery of the Mariana Trench. Great mysteries of the ocean." Ren-TV program.

Still, it remains a big mystery what is there, at the bottom of the Mariana Trench... They scare us in absentia with monsters, but in reality no one, in particular Cameron, who spent 3 hours at the bottom of the trench, discovered strange objects there... silence... depth... eternity.

And the most important questions are “how can monsters live there if there is enormous pressure at the bottom, no light, no oxygen??” Answer from scientific experts:

“The inexplicable and incomprehensible have always attracted people, which is why scientists all over the world want to answer the question: “What does the Mariana Trench hide in its depths?”

Can living organisms live at such great depths, and what should they look like, given the fact that they are pressed by huge masses of ocean waters, the pressure of which exceeds 1100 atmospheres?

The challenges associated with exploring and understanding the creatures that live at these unimaginable depths are numerous, but human ingenuity knows no bounds. For a long time, oceanographers considered the hypothesis that life could exist at depths of more than 6,000 m in impenetrable darkness, under enormous pressure and at temperatures close to zero, to be crazy.

However, the results of research by scientists in the Pacific Ocean have shown that even in these depths, much below the 6000-meter mark, there are huge colonies of living organisms pogonophora ((pogonophora; from the Greek pogon - beard and phoros - bearing), a type of marine invertebrate animals living in long chitinous tubes open at both ends).

Recently, the veil of secrecy has been lifted by manned and automatic underwater vehicles made of heavy-duty materials, equipped with video cameras. The result was the discovery of a rich animal community consisting of both familiar and less familiar marine groups.

Thus, at depths of 6000 - 11000 km, the following were discovered:

- barophilic bacteria (developing only at high pressure);

- from protozoa - foraminifera (an order of protozoa of the subclass of rhizomes with a cytoplasmic body covered with a shell) and xenophyophores (barophilic bacteria from protozoa);

- from multicellular organisms - polychaete worms, isopods, amphipods, sea cucumbers, bivalves and gastropods.

At the depths there is no sunlight, no algae, constant salinity, low temperatures, an abundance of carbon dioxide, enormous hydrostatic pressure (increases by 1 atmosphere for every 10 meters).

What do the inhabitants of the abyss eat?

The food sources of deep animals are bacteria, as well as the rain of “corpses” and organic detritus coming from above; deep animals are either blind, or with very developed eyes, often telescopic; many fish and cephalopods with photofluoride; in other forms the surface of the body or parts of it glow.

Therefore, the appearance of these animals is as terrible and incredible as the conditions in which they live. Among them are frightening-looking worms 1.5 meters long, without a mouth or anus, mutant octopuses, unusual starfish and some soft-bodied creatures two meters long, which have not yet been identified at all.

Despite the fact that scientists have made a huge step in researching the Mariana Trench, the questions have not decreased, and new mysteries have appeared that have yet to be solved. And the ocean abyss knows how to keep its secrets. Will people be able to uncover them soon?”

The Mariana Trench, considering that it is the most famous deep point on the planet, has been studied too little; people have flown into space tens of times more, and we know more about space than about the bottom of the 11-kilometer trench. Probably everything is ahead...

The deepest place on Earth is an oceanic trench located near the Mariana Islands.

The Mariana Trench is located in the Pacific Ocean, east of the 14 Mariana Islands near Japan. As you probably already know, this is the deepest ocean trench and also the deepest place on Earth. It was created as a result of the opposition of two tectonic plates.

The deepest point in the Mariana Trench is considered to be the Challenger Deep point (which means “Challenging”), it is also the deepest point of the world’s oceans. According to various deep-sea research vehicles, the maximum recorded depth is 11,521 m.

The Mariana Trench was first explored in 1951 by the British naval vessel Challenger II, hence the name of the deepest point on Earth.

The first people to personally dive to the bottom of the Mariana Trench were Swiss oceanographer Jacques Picard and US soldier Don Walsh. This happened in January 1960 on a special round submersible called Trieste. The scientists were greatly surprised when, at such a great depth, they encountered flat fish and other living organisms. Later in 1995, a Japanese deep-sea vehicle dived to the point of maximum depth and recorded a distance from the bottom to the surface of 10,911.4 meters. According to the most recent studies in 2011, using the newest locators, the depth was named 10,994 meters. website - Interesting Facts about everything, read on and learn something new.

The dimensions of the Mariana Trench are enormous; it extends along 1500 km. The width at the very bottom is only 1-5 km, the bottom is flat and surrounded by steep cliffs. The water pressure at the very bottom of the depression is 108.6 MPa, which in turn is 11,074 tons/m2, or 1,107 kg/cm2.
For comparison, here are some facts.

123 meters. The record maximum diving depth for a person without scuba gear and breathing apparatus is 123 m. This record was achieved by a diver from Monaco and is officially registered.

100 m. The blue whale is the largest animal on earth and has a diving depth of no more than 100 meters.

1000 m. Below this mark no sunlight penetrates.

2000 m. The sperm whale is the only mammal that can dive to a depth of two kilometers.

4000 m. Water pressure reaches 402 kg per cm2. The ambient temperature is not higher than +2 degrees. Fish are blind or have underdeveloped eyes.

6000 m. The pressure is 584 times greater than the pressure on the surface of the Earth. Despite this, life exists here.

10994 m. Bottom of the Mariana Trench. There is a complete absence of light, water pressure is 1072 times higher than the surface pressure, 1 ton 74 kilograms presses per 1 square centimeter. Hellish conditions. But there is life here. Small fish similar to flounder up to 30 centimeters long.

Below we provide photographs of deep-sea fish. Most of these creatures live at depths between 500 and 6,500 meters.

Do you think this monkfish fish has legs? I hasten to disappoint you. These are not legs at all, but two males that are stuck to the female. The fact is that at great depths and in the complete absence of light it is very difficult to find a partner. Therefore, as soon as a male monkfish finds a female, he immediately bites into her side. This hug will never be broken. Later, it fuses with the female’s body, loses all unnecessary organs, merges with her circulatory system and becomes only a source of sperm. Below is another photo of this fish.

This is a deep-sea octopus measuring only 20 cm. Its habitat depth is from 500 to 5000 meters.

This is a fish with a transparent head. For what? At depth, as we know, there is very little light. The fish has developed a defense mechanism; its eyes are located in the center of the head so that they cannot be injured. In order to see, evolution has awarded this fish with a transparent head. The two green spheres are the eyes.

We hope you liked the photos of fish living in the depths of the Mariana Trench.