The deepest lake in Eurasia: characteristics of Baikal

Earth - a unique planet on which water element dominates.Continuous chain of the oceans surrounds it on all sides.But there are also internal waters, the continental expanse surrounded on all sides.Among them are a lot of amazing in its properties and characteristics of geographical objects.On the main repository of freshwater in the world will be discussed in this article.

geographical characteristics of the lake

deepest lake in Eurasia, and other geographic features of this type - it's ponds that appeared in the natural depressions and non-oceans.

Scientists have isolated many types of lakes depending on their origin.The research results have shown that the tectonic ponds are the largest.They are formed as a result of the mobility of the Earth's crust, mainly in the areas of its faults.That is why they are different in size and rocky shores.This type is the deepest lake on the continent of Eurasia.

volcanic lakes - reservoirs is formed in the craters of volcanoes are not active more.The best-known representatives of this species are lake Java.

Another type of lake origin - glacial water.They are formed under the influence of glaciers on the Earth's surface.Over time glaciers washed therein recesses which are filled with water, and then become lakes.

Feature Baikal

With the passage of the topic "Internal waters" in geography lessons at school certainly raises the question "What is the deepest lake in Eurasia."If you answer should mention its characteristics: area, volume, width, and indicate living in it of flora and fauna.Specify the deepest lake in Eurasia.The name and its depth - Baikal 1642 m.

We now turn to a detailed characterization.Baikal is one of the largest lakes in the world, not only in depth but also in the total surface area, which is 32 thousand square kilometers.Age of the reservoir has not yet been able to determine reliably.Indicative data - from 25 to 35 mln. Years.

As mentioned above, Baikal - a unique repository of fresh water, the largest in the world.Its size allows you to fit 19% of the world reserves of this natural resource.Such reserves will last mankind 40 years and due to the extensive coastline of the lake water can drink more than 50 thousand people at a time.

Clean Baikal impressive, large stones can be seen at a depth of about 40 m, and the amount of minerals contained in its waters, is extremely small.In addition, high oxygen content as depth and near the surface of the lake, which is why it home to many endemic species of plants and animals.

Interesting facts about Baikal

deepest lake in Eurasia constantly fueled by 336 rivers and streams.It should be noted that all the rivers flow into the lake, and only one flowing from him - a hangar.

lake is full of mysteries.One of them - it's ice rings Baikal.Some of them are so great that they were able to establish the existence only with the development of space technology.Satellite images have shown that the ice ring, the so-called "hill", is about 5-7 km in diameter.They appear every year in different parts of the reservoir.Particularly interesting is that the ice in these rings are not transparent, and has a dark gray color.Scientists suggest that this natural phenomenon is caused by emissions of gas from the bottom of Lake Baikal.

land on which is the deepest lake in Eurasia and the world, - a seismically active zone.No wonder the lake belongs to the category of tectonic origin.The mobility of the Earth's crust in the area is very high, which often leads to earthquakes.As a rule, their strength is not more than 1-2 points, but there are exceptions.For example, in 1862 there was a ten-Kudarinskoe earthquake that killed more than 1,300 people.

Fauna Lake

deepest lake in Eurasia for its unique fauna.A variety of animal species that live in this area is enormous.Among them stand out seal, mammal, which usually does not live in fresh water.Other living creature - a small golomyanka body which contains about 30% fat.She migrates every day from the depths of the lake in shallow water.Epishura crustacean - a "filter" of Lake Baikal.He cleans water from all kinds of garbage, so she stays so pure.

Research Baikal

scientists from the second half of the XX century are trying to explore the bottom of the lake.Since 1977, there have been several diving manned vehicles "Paysis", which ultimately unsuccessful - in 1991, the device has reached the bottom.

also organize other research expedition.Their goal was to study the bottom of Lake Baikal, which made 52 dives apparatus "Mir".

Legend of Baikal

deepest lake in Eurasia, of course, gathered around him a lot of rumors and legends.The most famous myth of the pond is a story about why all the rivers flowing into it, and only one runs away.It is said that in ancient times the beauty Angara was the daughter of a formidable Baikal.Father loved her and otherwise shore.But soon he fell in love with the beautiful Angara Yenisei and ran to him.Enraged Baikal hit the mountain, which is split and fell on the throat of his daughter.Later, a piece of this rock was called Shaman rock.The pagans brought it rich sacrifices and performed rituals to appease the gods.