Lake Baikal - legends, natural phenomena, anomalies, interesting facts. Where is Lake Baikal

In the south of Eastern Siberia, where the Irkutsk region borders on Buryatia, there is one of the seven wonders of the world - the largest and deepest fresh water body in the world - Lake Baikal. The locals used to call it the sea, because the opposite shore is often out of sight. This is the largest fresh water reservoir on the planet with an area of ​​​​more than 31 thousand km², which would completely fit the Netherlands and Belgium, and the maximum depth of Baikal is 1642 m.

Lake-record holder

The crescent-shaped reservoir has a record length of 620 km, and the width in different places varies between 24-79 km. The lake lies in a basin of tectonic origin, so its relief bottom is very deep - 1176 m below the level of the World Ocean, and the water surface rises 456 m above it. The average depth is 745 m. The bottom is extremely picturesque - various banks, in other words, ancient shallows, terraces, caves, reefs and canyons, plumes, ridges and plains. It consists of a wide variety of natural materials, including limestone and marble.

Above is the depth of Lake Baikal, according to this indicator, it is in first place on the planet. The African Tanganyika (1470 m) ranks second, and the Caspian (1025 m) closes the top three. The depth of other reservoirs is less than 1000 m. Baikal is a reservoir of fresh water, it is 20% of the world's reserves and 90% of Russia's. The tonnage of its mass is greater than in the entire system of the five Great Lakes of the United States - Huron, Michigan, Erie, Ontario and Superior. But the largest lake in Europe is still considered not Baikal (it is in 7th place in the world ranking), but Ladoga, which occupies 17,100 km². Some people are trying to compare the famous fresh water bodies in Russia and are wondering which lake is deeper - Baikal or Ladoga, although there is nothing to think about, since the average depth of Ladoga is only 50 m.

An interesting fact: Baikal takes in 336 large and small rivers, and releases only one from its embrace - the beautiful Angara.

In winter, the lake freezes to a depth of about a meter, and many tourists come to admire an exceptional sight - a transparent ice “floor”, under which blue and green water pierced by the sun splashes. The upper layers of ice are transformed into intricate shapes and blocks, carved by winds, currents and weather.

The famous Baikal water

Lake water was deified by the ancient tribes, they were treated with it and idolized. It has been proven that the water of Lake Baikal has unique properties - it is saturated with oxygen and practically distilled, and due to the presence of various microorganisms, it is devoid of minerals. It is famous for its exceptional transparency, especially in spring, when stones lying at a depth of 40 meters are visible from the surface. But in the summer, during the "blooming" period, the transparency decreases to 10. The waters of Lake Baikal are changeable: they shimmer from deep blue to rich green, these are the smallest forms of life that develop and give the reservoir new shades.

Baikal depth indicators

In 1960, researchers measured the depth near Capes Izhemei and Khara-Khushun with a cable lot and documented the deepest place of Baikal - 1620 m. Two decades later, in 1983, the expedition of A. Sulimanov and L. Kolotilo corrected the indicators in this area and recorded new data - the deepest point was at a depth of 1642 m. Another 20 years later, in 2002, an international expedition under the auspices of a joint project of Russia, Spain and Belgium worked on creating a modern bathymetric map of Baikal and confirmed the latest measurements using acoustic sounding of the bottom .

The unique reservoir has always attracted the increased attention of scientists and researchers, who equipped more and more new expeditions in order to clarify the previous depth measurements in different parts of the reservoir. So, in 2008-2010, the MIR expeditions organized about 200 dives throughout the entire water area of ​​this fresh sea. They were attended by prominent politicians and businessmen, journalists, sportsmen and hydronauts from the countries of Western and Eastern Europe and Russia.

Where are the deepest places of Baikal

Since the bottom of the reservoir is dotted with faults, the depth of the lake in different parts of the water area differs:

• near the western shores lie the deepest breaks in the earth's crust;
• in the southern part, the record depth of the depression between the mouths of the rivers Pereemnaya and Mishikhi was recorded at 1432 m;
• in the north, the deepest place is located between capes Elokhin and Pokoiniki - 890 m;
• depressions in the Small Sea - up to 259 m, their location at the Big Olkhon Gates;
• The greatest depth of Baikal in the region of the Barguzinsky Bay reaches 1284 m, this point is located on the southern coast of the Svyatoi Nos peninsula.

Video: an interesting film about Lake Baikal

The unique ecosystem attracts scientists and researchers from different countries. Thousands of tourists go to the deepest lake in the world to enjoy the magnificence of landscapes, landscapes that you will not find anywhere else. The boundless diversity of flora and fauna of the region, among which are mostly endemics (found only here), complements the wealth that nature has given to people.

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- the greatest on our planet. It is inextricably linked with Russia and is one of its symbols. Located near the center of Asia, Lake Baikal is known far beyond this continent.

The Baikal basin was formed by tectonic processes: the lake lies in a deep depression, surrounded on all sides by mountain ranges. is the oldest lake in the world. He is about 25 million years old. During all this time, the shores of Baikal diverged at an average rate of 2 cm per year, and in the distant future, Baikal may turn into a real ocean. Baikal is the deepest lake on Earth. Its maximum depth is 1620 meters. This allows Baikal, with a relatively small surface area (31,500 km 2 .), to contain 20% of the world's fresh water reserves: 23 thousand km 3. Approximately the same amount contains all five Great Lakes of North America taken together - Superior, Michigan, Erie, Ontario and Huron. In order to fill the empty basin of Baikal, it would take the volume of water that all the rivers of the planet bring into the world ocean in 300 days. And another “Great Giant”, the Amazon River, would need to feed Baikal for four years to do this.

336 rivers flow into the lake, but the main role in the water balance of the lake is played by Selenga, contributing to the basin 50% of the annual inflow of water. At the same time, the lake gives life to only one river - Angara, on which the dam of the Irkutsk hydroelectric power station was built in 1959, which raised the water level in Baikal by a meter. It is on the Angara, which is called the “daughter of Baikal”, that the largest Bratskoye reservoir on our planet with a volume of 169.3 km 3 was created. The water in Baikal is dark blue and so transparent that in June, when transparency reaches its maximum, one can observe forty-meter depths with the naked eye. It is curious that the water in the lake is fresher than the water of the rivers flowing into it, and its mineralization decreases with depth. Scientists have put forward a hypothesis about the existence of a permanent powerful superfresh source at the bottom of Lake Baikal. Until it is proven or disproven.

Water exchange of Lake Baikal

Speaking of exceptional purity, one of its inhabitants should be mentioned, thanks to which water from the lake can be safely drunk without any additional purification. This is a tiny crab epishura, which is one of the endemics of the lake (that is, it is not found anywhere except Baikal). It is this crustacean, repeatedly passing the waters of the lake through itself, and cleans them. Epishura is not the only Baikal endemic. Two thirds of the flora and fauna of the lake live only in Baikal. The most famous are the Baikal seal, the Baikal omul, the Baikal seal, some species of gobies, as well as the golomyanka viviparous fish. In total, 2.6 thousand species and varieties of plants and animals live in the lake.

Ecology of Lake Baikal

In the 20th century, the unique world of the lake faced a problem that threatened the possibility of the continued existence of nature. In the early 60s of the XX century, the construction of the Baikal Pulp and Paper Mill (PPM) began on the southern shore of the lake. In this regard, a discussion immediately unfolded. Scientific expeditions were sent to the Baikal region, the purpose of which was to find out how the negative environmental impact of the plant's activities affects the unique nature of the lake. Newspapers actively discussed the possibility of creating "clean" technologies for pulp and paper production. The problem was reflected even in art: in 1970, director S. A. Gerasimov shot the film “ At a lake", whose heroes are looking for a compromise between the need to create a plant and the desire to preserve Baikal. Despite harsh criticism, the pulp and paper mill was built and put into operation in 1966. Its effluents, as well as the effluents of the pulp and paper mill (PPM) on the Selenga River, contain toxic phenols, chlorides, sulfates and suspended matter in large quantities.

Baikal Pulp and Paper Mill

As a result, back in 1994, in the area of ​​the Baikal pulp and paper mill, the water pollution zone extended to 10 km2, and the area of ​​the polluted bottom area was 70 km2. The Selenga River, which plays an important role in the water balance of the lake, also brings the runoff of the city of Ulan-Ude into its basin. An increased concentration of phenols was found in its waters, and the content of oil products exceeds the MPC (maximum permissible concentration) by 3–15 times. The forces of the lake are still coping with the misfortunes that have fallen, however, the resources of Baikal are not unlimited, and if nothing is done, they will run out sooner or later. Then the life of the lake, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, will be in danger, and it is possible that, after many years, our descendants, having come to the water surface

Baikal is one of the wonders of Russia. The depth of Lake Baikal is a record. The African Lake Tanganyika, which follows it, has a depth that is 200 meters less. The reservoir is popular with tourists and explorers. Until now, the secrets of Baikal have not been fully disclosed and excite scientists.

Where is

Located almost in the center of Eurasia, in Western Siberia, on the border of the Irkutsk region and the Buryat Republic, Baikal has the shape of a huge crescent. In terms of area, it is equivalent to the Netherlands, Belgium or Denmark. Surrounded by mountains and hills, the reservoir occupies a huge pit. The question of how deep Lake Baikal is is very interesting. We will tell about this later, and now we will describe the relief of the coast. In the eastern part it is relatively flat, the mountains are tens of kilometers away. The western shore of the lake is mountainous.

The Baikal area is seismically active. Earthquakes of small magnitude occur regularly, and there are strong ones, the echoes of which are felt even in Irkutsk. So, in the second half of the 19th century, an earthquake with a force of 10 points occurred. As a result, a land plot of 200 square meters was flooded. km, where 1300 people lived. Strong tremors were noted in 1959 (9 points), in 2008 (9 points) and 2010 (6 points).

The history of the lake and the name

For a long time it was believed that the age of Baikal is 25-30 million years. But recent studies of the relief of the bottom of the lake with its mud volcanoes have shown that it is up to 150 thousand years old. In this regard, Baikal is also unique, because the average age of lakes of a similar origin is 10-15 thousand years.

The rift basin, in which Baikal is located, is similar in structure to the Dead Sea basin. Its depth is the depth of Baikal. The opinions of scientists on the formation of the basin differ.

There are 3 versions:

1. The depression is the result of a transform fault.
2. The depression arose as a result of the action of a hot mantle flow under the lake.
3. The depression was formed as a result of minor collisions of Hindustan and the Eurasian plate.

Obviously, as a result of seismic activity, the relief of the bottom of Lake Baikal is changing and is still subsiding.

The origin of the name of the lake is unclear, but all four points of view reflect the greatness of the reservoir and indirectly indicate how deep Baikal is: Japanese - "great water", Turkic - "rich lake", Mongolian - "rich fire" and Chinese - "northern sea" . In our country, the modern name began to be used in the 17th century, it was borrowed from the Buryats (Beigkhel): in Russian the word was assimilated and the usual pronunciation was established - Baikal.

Features of the landscape and climate

The record depth of Baikal and the vast area of ​​the watershed determine the local climate. Mild winters, but rather cool summers, long autumns and long springs - these are the climatic characteristics of the areas adjacent to the lake. Also, the weather of Lake Baikal is affected by local specific winds, such as barguzin or kultuk. Because of the current winds, Baikal is referred to as the most restless lakes in the world.

Another remarkable property of the climate is mirages, which appear up to 7 times a year and last for 5-6 hours. They arise due to the difference in air temperature between the surface of the water and the space above it. Mirages occur due to the refraction of rays. Landscape objects can visually rise above the water surface so that the horizon is visible. Another kind of mirage is when natural objects that are thousands of kilometers distant optically approach.

Baikal waters: features and currents

Since ancient times, the water of the lake has fascinated the locals: they idolized it, they treated it. It is saturated with oxygen, close in composition to distilled water, and due to the action of microorganisms, it is practically devoid of minerals. The volume of Baikal's water is 90% of Russia's fresh water reserves and 20% of the world's. For comparison: there is more water in our great lake than in the 5 largest American lakes combined.

The transparency of Baikal water is surprising: visibility reaches 40 meters. True, this figure can drop to 10 meters during the flowering period of plants. Depending on the time of year and the activity of plants and microorganisms, Baikal water changes its color from bright blue in cold weather to green in summer and autumn.

Baikal is saturated with 336 rivers and streams constantly flowing into it. Turka, Snezhnaya, Upper Angara, Sarma are the largest of them. The Angara is the only river flowing from Lake Baikal.

Depth indicators

How deep is Lake Baikal? It is determined by the origin and parameters of the depression in which the lake is located. The last depth studies were carried out in 1983, they were confirmed in 2002. The lake is fascinating: with an average of 730 meters, the maximum depth of Baikal is 1630 meters. There are two more lakes on Earth with a depth of more than 1000 meters: Tanganyika and the Caspian Sea. Moreover, in the latter, the water is salty, not fresh. Even the average depth of Baikal is amazing - few lakes on Earth can boast a value of 730 meters.

Currents act on the surface of Lake Baikal, encircling its shores and the largest islands. In certain places (the western coast of the Small Sea), the current is quite strong, so even in calm weather, ships drift. The decrease in the intensity of water movement is affected by the depth of Lake Baikal in a given place and the distance from the coastline.

Flora and fauna

Baikal is unique in its flora and fauna: two thirds of animal representatives live exclusively here. Oxygenated water provides a favorable environment for the reproduction of species. Scientists have discovered only 70% of the fauna of Baikal. Epishura crustaceans form the basis of the lake's food chain, in addition, they perform an important function of water purification - they pass it through themselves. The fauna of Baikal has 56 species of fish. Among them is a unique species - golomyanka. The fish is interesting in that it does not lay eggs, but gives birth to fry alive. The golomyanka is 43% fat; in search of food, it migrates from great depths to shallow ones.

Nerpa is the only mammal that lives on Lake Baikal.

From the plant world, sponges can be noted, which grow at great depths and are the oldest inhabitants of Baikal.

The uniqueness of the lake is recognized all over the world. Not only the depth of Baikal is taken into account, but also its unique ecosystem. The climate, geographical features of the lake attract tourists and scientists from all over the world.

Lake Baikal is a unique and amazing creation of nature. Its beauty, majesty and transparent depth of water conquer at first sight.

Siberians call the deepest lake on the planet the sea for its vast expanses. Baikal was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.

Several figures characterizing Baikal

The history of Lake Baikal begins 25–30 million years ago. The water basin of the lake was formed under the influence of tectonic processes. In the vicinity of Lake Baikal, earthquakes periodically occur and thermal springs hit. Natural transformations are still taking place in the lake. Every year it increases by 2 centimeters in width.

The location of Baikal on the map of Russia is the southern part of Eastern Siberia. The territory of the lake is crossed by the borders of the Republic of Buryatia and the Irkutsk region. If you look at Baikal from space, it will look like a depression in the shape of a young moon, located in the very center of Asia.

The length of the lake is 620 km. The width is 24 km at its narrowest point and 79 km at its widest. And the water surface area is 31,722 km², which puts Baikal in seventh place in the world among the largest lakes.

The bottom of the lake is 1167 m below the ocean level, and the surface of its waters is 455.5 m higher.

According to the latest research, the maximum depth of the lake is 1642 m, which makes Baikal the deepest lake in the world. And the volume of water in the lake is simply gigantic - 23615.39 km³. Baikal contains 1/5 and 9/10 of Russian freshwater reserves. There are 27 islands in the water area of ​​Lake Baikal. About 336 permanent rivers feed the lake with their water, and only one flows out - the large Angara River.

Natural uniqueness

Baikal water is unique, like the lake itself. Its transparency reaches 40 m and decreases slightly with the onset of algal blooms. The transparency of water is explained by the fact that it is very weakly mineralized, has a lot of oxygen in its composition and has the properties of distilled water.

Despite the fact that a continental climate prevails in Eastern Siberia, the weather on Baikal differs significantly from other regions. This is explained by the fact that the basin of the lake is surrounded by ridges, overgrown with forest along the entire coast. Thanks to this protective barrier, the lake has its own unique microclimate. The temperature difference reaches 10 degrees. It is cooler in summer on Lake Baikal, and warmer in winter than in nearby cities and towns. The depth of the water does not allow the lake to warm up much, which is why evaporation is negligible, so there are not a lot of clouds here. As a result, the sun shines over Baikal most of the time.

Flora and fauna

The ancient origin, geographical features and unique climate contributed to the development of a wide variety of plants and animals on Baikal. Siberian scientists count 2630 species of fauna and flora in the lake, of which 84% are endemic, that is, found only in Baikal.

coastal nature

The flora of the lake coast is rich and varied. More than 2,000 plant species grow here, some of which are striking in their originality:

• Siberian cedar, the famous Siberian pine, Siberian larch - are known for their healing power;
• Daurian rhododendron - a plant of the heather family of rare beauty;
• the famous walking or walking trees are another miracle of Baikal. The trunks and roots of trees are raised above the ground to a height of up to 3 m, and it seems that they are standing on stilts.

In the coastal forests of Lake Baikal there are many mammals: bears, lynxes, wolverines, red deer, the famous Barguzin sables and other animals of the northern latitudes. And on the shore of Lake Baikal you can meet the smallest deer in the world - musk deer.

The aquatic flora of Lake Baikal is represented by a wide variety of algae, as well as flowering and bryophyte plants, of which 79 species have been identified. Underwater flora plays an important role in the life of the lake. Its thickets are a place of concentration of zooplankton, feeding and breeding of fish. Growing along the circumference of the reservoir, they create a kind of filter and prevent pollutants from entering the lake. Aquatic plants accelerate the process of self-purification of water from oil products, and some of them are able to absorb radioactive isotopes.

Animal world

Baikal's water fauna is amazingly rich and diverse. About 2600 representatives of aquatic fauna live in the depths of the lake. Almost 1000 of them are endemic. This diversity is explained by the fact that Baikal water has a high oxygen content. 27 species of fish live in the lake, which are not found anywhere else in the world. The most famous of them:

• Baikal sturgeon;
• Baikal omul;
• golomyanka is a viviparous fish. Consists of 35% fat and lives at great depths.

Unique invertebrates

The most numerous group of Baikal living world is invertebrates. Also, all kinds of freshwater mollusks, shell crustaceans and oligochaetes live in the lake. A special place in the aquatic environment of Lake Baikal is occupied by the crustacean epishura, which is also found nowhere else in the world. This amazing little creature with a size of 1.5 millimeters plays a crucial role in the Baikal ecosystem. Epishura, passing Baikal water through itself, filters and purifies it. Thanks to her, Baikal has such clean water. In addition, the crustacean is the main zooplankton biomass of the lake and plays a significant role in the food chain of the reservoir.

Another miracle of Lake Baikal is the unique Baikal seal living in fresh water (seals, as a rule, live only in the seas and oceans).

It is the only mammal in the lake.

According to scientists, the Baikal seal got into the lake during the Ice Age. It is under state protection.

Ecology

As in other parts of the world, environmental problems have not bypassed Baikal. For centuries, people have been using the riches of Baikal: they get furs, fish, harvest berries, pine nuts, and cut down forests. Due to the thoughtless use of the natural resources of Baikal, they simply do not have time to recover.

In addition to the depletion of natural resources, there is As the world's water reserves decrease, the huge reservoir of fresh water of Lake Baikal is becoming increasingly important in the world. There are several sources of harmful effects on the aquatic environment of the lake:

• seven settlements settled on the shores of Lake Baikal without treatment facilities;
• water transport leaves oil waste in the water;
• numerous tourists contribute in the form of an endless stream of garbage;
• significant damage to the ecosystem of Baikal was caused by the Baikal Pulp and Paper Mill. In December 2013, by decision of the Russian government, it was closed;
• the Selenga River carries its dirty waters into the crystal clear water of the lake. Her path begins in Mongolia and flows past large cities, which pollute the water.