Lake Baikal: the most amazing lake on the planet

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There is an interesting scientific hypothesis that states Lake Baikal is an emerging ocean. Nobody can prove it now, but one thing is clear: this freshwater lake, located in Siberia, is an outstanding example of a miraculous creation of nature.

We want to share some basic yet impressive facts about Lake Baikal with you. Let's take an imaginary journey to this beautiful and mysterious place and its surroundings.

#1 Earthquakes

About 2 thousand earthquakes occur on the lake annually.

#2 The deepest lake on Earth

Lake Baikal is 1,642 meters (5,000 feet) deep.

#3 The surrounding mountains

The mountains, surrounding the lake, are, on the contrary, extremely high: if we calculate Baikal's depth from their top, it will be equal to 12,000 meters (about 39,370 feet)! By the way, these mountains are dynamic: they constantly go up and down.

#4 The ice

As the lake water is the most transparent in the world, Baikal's ice is also transparent in many places.

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#5 The grottoes

Grottoes and caves on the lake are amazing. They look especially enchanting in winter.

#6 The water

Baikal contains more water than all the Great Lakes together (23,600 cubic kilometers or 5,700 cubic miles). This water is considered the purest freshwater on the planet. The lake is renewed approximately every 4 hundred years.

#7 The area

The area of Baikal is 31,722 square kilometers (12,248 square miles). In simple words, it is equal to the area of Belgium.

#8 The islands

There are 27 islands on the lake, and most of them are uninhabited.

#9 The Baikal Seal

These cute creatures are endemic to the lake.

#10 this amazing timelapse video by the Russian photographer Stas Tolstnev says it all:

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