What body of water does not flow into. Lake classification. A lake is a body of water that does not have a direct connection with ...

There are a huge number of lakes on our planet. They can differ strikingly from each other both in size, origin, and in other indicators. Then how are they similar, and what is a lake in general?

It is not easy to give a precise definition of this concept. For example, if you say that this is a reservoir surrounded on all sides by land, then this will not be entirely correct. Since those into which rivers flow (or flow out of them), coastline torn.

If you claim that this is a fresh body of water, then what to do with dead sea and others in which the water is salty? We can say that they have no connection with the oceans. But known to all located in South America, it connects to the Caribbean Sea.

So what is a lake? It would be more correct to say that this is a reservoir natural origin on the land. First of all, the lakes differ in size from each other. Sometimes in the mountains you can find small ones, only a few tens of meters long, while the most large lake on Earth - the Caspian Sea - has a length of more than 1000 kilometers.

Rainwater flows into lakes, rivers and streams flow into them, so they must be in low points terrain. But this is not always observed. South American Lake Titicaca is located at an altitude of 3812 meters above sea level.

How are they formed

To understand what a lake is, you need to find out how they arise. There are glacial reservoirs located in troughs of the earth's surface, formed under the enormous weight of an ancient glacier. These depressions gradually filled with melted glacial waters. Most often they are placed large groups are small and deep. There are many of them in Finland, Canada, Siberia.

They are located in high mountain valleys. Sometimes it happens that such a lake appears right before our eyes - during mountain landslides, the riverbed is blocked and water accumulates near the resulting dam. Usually they are short-lived, and water quickly erodes the barrier, but there are exceptions. An example is the Pamirs.

The lakes formed in elongated, narrow and very deep. There are many of them in Africa: Tanganyika, Nyasa and others. This is the deepest lake in the world, Lake Baikal.

Reservoirs of tectonic origin may also have a shallow depth, for example, the Khmelev lakes, which are located in the eastern part.

Alpine lakes filled with glacial water are only fresh. But the Dead Sea, located in the basin, is so salty that there is no life in it.

In some lakes, due to the presence of a large amount of impurities in its composition, the water is not only salty, but also cloudy, which gives it a different color. But most reservoirs, especially small ones, have fresh and clean water. For example, in the Leningrad region there is Lake Bezymyannoye, which is considered one of the cleanest in Russia. The reason for this is the presence of a large number of springs and springs, constantly renewing and refreshing the water.

Some of the lakes regularly change their size, and on the maps their coastline is indicated conditionally. Most often it depends on the seasonal precipitation. So, Lake Chad on the African mainland can change several times during the year.

The Okavango River flows on the African continent through Angola, Namibia and Botswana. It's interesting because it doesn't go anywhere. For 1,600 kilometers, it carries its waters not to the ocean, sea or lake. The Okavango forms a vast delta, spilling over the surrounding area and dissolving into the swamp. It is also interesting that this swampy lowland is located in the northwest of the Kalahari Desert. Incredible combination of swamp and desert. The Okavango Delta is the largest inland delta in the world. View of it from a height is striking in its beauty and eccentricity.

Okavango originates in the mountains of Angola, but in this country it is called Cubango. Further, it flows to the southeast and, reaching the Makgadikgadi depression in the territory of Botswana, overflows, forming a vast swamp. Scientists believe that even 10,000 years ago, the Okavango River had a completely ordinary delta, flowing into the ancient Lake Makgadikgadi. But over time, this reservoir dried up, leaving behind several salt lakes that exist only during the rainy season and for a short time after it. And the Okavango still carries its waters in the usual direction, only there is nowhere for it to flow - the desert is all around. The Kalahari Desert.

Kalahari - largest desert Africa south of the equator. Its area is already 600,000 square kilometers, and it continues to grow. Contrary to popular belief, deserts are not only hot sands and lack of rain. Deserts include territories in which the annual precipitation does not exceed 250-300 millimeters, and this amount is much less than the moisture consumed for evaporation. That is, it can even rain there, as, for example, in the Kalahari, where the rainy season begins in summer. The fauna of this desert is quite diverse. In addition to lizards and snakes, lions, cheetahs, leopards, rhinos, giraffes, antelopes and zebras live here. But the greatest variety is animal world in the swamps that form the Okavango.

The Okavango Delta is not only an unusual geographical feature, but also a unique biosystem. In these impenetrable swamps, hundreds of species of various animals, including very rare and unusual ones, wonderfully settled down. Thanks to the swamp, dense thickets of papyrus and water lilies, this region has been preserved almost in its original form. Of the people here are a few locals, tourists and photographers. They move here only on narrow small boats, otherwise it is simply impossible to get through the thickets of reeds. Interesting ungulates that have adapted to life in swamps live here: sitatunga antelope, marsh goats, red lychees. There are also lions and cheetahs that are accustomed to swamp life. In the Okavango Delta, the world of near-water birds is very rich and diverse.

And all this magnificent diversity on the edge of the desert is possible only thanks to the Okavango, an amazing river that dissolves into the sand, giving life.

As you probably know, our world is 70% water. We drink it, we bathe in it, we grow food with it, and in general we exist thanks to it. But there are some water bodies on Earth that are very dangerous not only for humans, but also for all living things, be it trees or animals. In this video, we will bring to your attention a list of lakes and rivers that can cause us serious harm or even kill. So, these are the 10 most dangerous bodies of water on the planet.

10 creepiest lakes on our planet

Thousands of lost lives mysterious inhabitants, poisonous waters - it's all about the terrible reservoirs of our planet. Even cute-looking lakes with clear water sometimes pose a great threat to those who decide to swim in it or even settle with a tent on the shore. We have selected the ten most terrible lakes of our planet.

1. Nyos (Cameroon)

Lake Nyos can be called a mass killer. It became known to the whole world because of the terrible event that occurred on August 21, 1985. A cloud of asphyxiating gas rose from the lake, killing 1,746 residents of neighboring villages. All livestock, birds and even insects perished along with the people. Arriving at the scene of the tragedy, scientists from all over the world found that the lake is located in the crater of a volcano, which everyone considered dormant. Through the cracks from the bottom into the water came carbon dioxide. Having accumulated the maximum concentration, the gas began to break out to the surface in huge bubbles. The wind carried a cloud of gas to the settlements, where it destroyed all life. Scientists say that carbon dioxide continues to flow into the lake and another release can be expected.

2. Blue Lake (Kabardino-Balkaria, Russia)

Blue karst abyss in Kabardino-Balkaria. Outside, not a single river flows into the lake, it is fed by underground sources. The blue color of the lake is due to the high content of hydrogen sulfide in the water. The creepiness of this lake is given by the fact that no one has been able to figure out its depth. The fact is that the bottom consists of an extensive system of caves. Researchers have not yet been able to figure out what constitutes the lowest point of this karst lake. It is believed that under Blue Lake is the world's largest system of underwater caves.

3. Natron (Tanzania)

Lake Natron in Tanzania not only kills its inhabitants, but also mummifies their bodies. On the shores of the lake there are mummified flamingos, small birds, bats. The most terrible thing is that the victims freeze in their natural poses with their heads up. It was like they froze for a moment and stayed that way forever. The water in the lake is bright red because of the microorganisms living in it, closer to the shore it is already orange, and in some places it is of a normal color. Evaporation of the lake scares away large predators, and the absence of natural enemies attracts a huge number of birds and small animals. They live on the banks of the Natron, multiply, and after death they are mummified. A large amount of hydrogen contained in water and increased alkalinity contribute to the release of soda, salt and lime. They do not allow the remains of the inhabitants of the lake to decompose.

4. Brosno (Tver region, Russia)

Not so far from Moscow, in the Tver region, there is Lake Brosno, in which, according to local residents, an ancient lizard lives. Like the famous Nessie, who gained worldwide fame. As in the case of the inhabitant of the Scottish lake, the Brosnen monster was often seen, but no one managed to take a single clear picture. Studies of the reservoir did not lead to anything concrete. Scientists suggest that the reason for the emergence of legends about the ancient monster was an unusually large depth for small lake and decomposition processes at the bottom, which sometimes lead to the formation of huge bubbles of hydrogen sulfide. The escaping gas can easily capsize a small boat, which can be mistaken for a monster attack.

5. Michigan (USA)

Lake Michigan is one of the five great lakes scattered across the United States and Canada. Few people know that this reservoir has destroyed hundreds of lives. They did not see an ancient monster here, the water here is far from dead, but nevertheless the lake is very dangerous. It's all about unpredictable undercurrents. They carry a huge risk for those who come to swim on the shores of Michigan, and there are many of them in the warm season. Undercurrents carry people away from the shore, and if a person has fallen into his power, then it is almost impossible to cope with him. In autumn, the lake becomes especially dangerous. Due to spontaneous currents on the surface of the water, huge waves arise, from which sailors are the first to suffer.

6. Dead Lake (Kazakhstan)

The lake with a terrible name is located in Kazakhstan. Local residents have long been trying to bypass it, considering the reservoir cursed. Here anyone will tell you a few scary stories about the mysterious disappearances of people, and not even necessarily in the lake itself. According to locals, there are countless drowned people at the bottom. Moreover, all the missing are visiting tourists who do not know anything about notoriety. dead lake. By the way, this name does not come from mysterious disappearances, but because of the unusual properties of water. There is no life in the lake. No fish, no frogs, nothing. In addition, the water remains extremely cold even in the hot season, and the size of the lake does not decrease. And this is at a time when other reservoirs in this region dry up almost twice from the heat.

7. Lake of death (Italy)

We know about Sicily thanks to the famous Sicilian mafia and the volcano Etna located on the island. But there is another (no less dangerous) attraction - the Lake of Death, the water of which contains a high concentration of sulfuric acid. Life here is impossible by definition. Any organism that enters the local water dies within minutes. According to rumors, the Italian mafia used this lake to destroy unwanted people. The bodies of those who rejected an Offer You Can't Refuse now form part of the Lake of Death. True or not, no one can say, because the water has dissolved all the evidence.

8. Karachay (Russia)

Lake Karachay in the Urals is considered one of the most polluted in the world. Staying on the shore of the lake for a couple of hours is enough to get hundreds of x-rays of radiation and die a painful death. Once living lake was destroyed in the fifties when it was used as a repository for liquid radioactive waste. Now the water level has dropped dramatically, exposing vast contaminated areas of the lake. The state annually allocates large funds to reduce the level of radiation in the reservoir. In the coming years, it is planned to completely fill it up, but this does not solve the problem of groundwater contamination.

9. Boiling Lake (Dominican Republic)

This lake is called boiling because it literally boils. The water temperature reaches 92 degrees Celsius. If you swim in such water, you can easily boil yourself alive. The surface is shrouded in thick white steam. Swimming in this lake is strictly prohibited even during the rainy season, when the temperature drops. Hot air jets (or even lava) periodically beat out from under the water, so a swim in such a reservoir may be your last. The lake is located in the crater of a volcano and is constantly heated.

10. Empty Lake (Russia)

Lake Empty is located in Western Siberia in the area of ​​Kuznetsk Alatau. It got its name due to the fact that there is no life in it, and the plants next to it rot. It would seem that this is not news at all, there is no life in the Dead Sea either. But the composition of the water of the Empty is not much different from the surrounding reservoirs. Moreover, quite lively rivers flow into it, but the fish are capricious and do not swim into the Empty. The locals even tried to populate the lake with crucian carp, but they all soon died. Scientists tried to investigate the phenomenon of this reservoir, but they could not explain its lifelessness.

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The water of a bewitching azure color, with a visibility of several tens of meters - some of the planet's reservoirs are still distinguished by incredible environmental performance. They miraculously managed to avoid the harmful influence of civilization, for thousands and millions of years the water in them remains crystal clear. Some of the cleanest lakes and rivers on the planet are in incredible hard-to-reach places to see them, tourists need to overcome a difficult path. Others, on the contrary, have long been centers of tourist life, which does not prevent them from maintaining their unique environmental performance. All the cleanest reservoirs of the planet are incredibly beautiful and, of course, deserve the attention of the most sophisticated travelers.
Crater Lake, USA

In the United States, Origon is incredibly beautiful lake Kreiter, it formed in the crater of an extinct volcano. This lake has become famous all over the world for its unique deep blue water, which is considered one of the cleanest in the world. According to scientists, this lake was formed more than 7.5 thousand years ago, its average depth is about 350 meters. The size of the lake is also very impressive, its length is about 9.6 km, and its width is about 8 km.

This lake is one of the deepest not only in the United States, but also in the territory North America. A few years ago around unique lake was formed national park, on the territory of which today they conduct interesting excursions. The main event for travelers is the ascent to the crater of an extinct volcano, this is the only way to see the beautiful lake with your own eyes. In recent years, about 400,000 tourists from all over the world annually visit this amazing nature reserve.

crystal clear lake attracts not only inquisitive travelers, but also ecologists and researchers. Several years ago, a group of scientists conducted an interesting experiment here. The fact is that initially no species of fish were found in Lake Kreiter, ecologists decided to add some species of trout and salmon here. Their experiment was a complete success, today the lake is inhabited by fish. Tourists are even allowed to fish here, subject to the only condition - they must use artificial bait.

Lake Zyuratkul, Russia


In Russia, among Ural mountains there is an amazing lake Zyuratkul, it is located at an altitude of 724 meters above sea level and is the most alpine lake Ural. The maximum depth of this lake is relatively small and is about 12 meters, and the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe reservoir is 13.5 square meters. km. Today, the amazing lake is considered one of the cleanest in the world, despite the fact that the water in it is by no means transparent. It has a cloudy tea shade, due to the fact that many streams flowing into the lake originate in swamps.

The area near the lake is famous not only for its natural beauties but also historical sites. During the study, scientists discovered several important archaeological sites, here they raised the tools of labor of primitive people and found a giant geoglyph. For local residents, Lake Zyuratkul has been a sacred landmark for hundreds of years; many things are associated with it. interesting legends and believe.

In the forests located along the shores of the lake, the Old Believers performed their rituals hundreds of years ago, while walking through them, even today you can see unusual monuments carved from wood. Excellent conditions for recreation have been created on the territory of the Zyuratkul National Park. There are several equipped camping areas here, so in the warm season, travelers can linger in these scenic spots ah for a few days. Hundreds of different excursions are held here, during which you can see the most significant natural attractions, as well as unique historical areas.

Piccaninny Ponds, Australia


In Australia, on the territory of the Piccaninny Reserve, there is a system of ponds of the same name, which have recently been considered a favorite vacation spot for divers. There are three ponds in the system, all of them are crystal clear. clean water. However, each of these ponds has its own unique features. The "First Pond" is the smallest, its depth is only 10 meters. Much deeper is the "Abyss" pond, its maximum depth is 100 meters. The water in this pond is crystal clear, visibility in it can reach 40 meters.

The most unusual and interesting of the three ponds is the "Cathedral", its depth is 35 meters. This pond was formed in a grotto of a limestone formation and is most popular with divers. The system of ponds is located in a special swampy zone, which is notable not only for its reservoirs, but also for its unique vegetation and fauna. This swampy area is home to several rare species of birds, the observation of which attracts not only ornithologists, but also tourists.

The Piccaninny Park is equipped with many hiking trails for tourists, as well as several excellent viewing platforms from which you can admire the beautiful ponds and the landscapes surrounding them. The Piccaninny National Park was established in 1969 and covers an area of ​​about 8.6 sq. km. km. Since a few years ago the ponds were open for snorkeling and diving enthusiasts, today ecologists control their cleanliness with particular care. For those who want to swim in these the purest ponds, it will be necessary to observe some formalities.

Lake Masyuko, Japan


In Japan, on the territory of the island of Hokkaido, there is another crystal clear lake - Masyuko. It is located in the Akan Nature Reserve, on all sides the lake is surrounded by incredibly beautiful mountain ranges covered with dense vegetation. This crystal clear lake formed in a caldera active volcano, the water in it has a shade of rich blue color due to the special mineral composition. Hundreds of tourists visit this beautiful lake every day as part of organized excursions around the national reserve.

While walking through the mountainous regions, they will have the opportunity to see many rare plants, animals and birds, it is most interesting to walk through these colorful places in the summer. However, there are charms in visiting the reserve and in winter period. On the territory of the national park there is another crater lake - Kussiaro, it also has its own unique features. The thing is that several hot springs flow into it, which do not allow some areas of the lake to freeze even in winter. This feature attracts many heat-loving birds to the reservoir; whooper swans always winter here.

The main feature of Lake Masyuko is that not a single stream flows into it, nor does it flow out either. Researchers believe that it is this feature of the lake that allows it to maintain its crystal clearness for hundreds of years. It is also worth noting that there are several interesting miniature villages on the territory of the reserve, where you can get acquainted with the life of local residents and buy interesting souvenirs.

Lake Bowman, USA


In the United States, there is the amazing Lake Bowman, which is also known for its purest water. It is located in the state of Montana, in the territory national reserve Glacier. Despite the fact that the reserve is rich in a variety of natural attractions, it is still visited by a very small number of tourists. This largely contributes to the preservation of the unique ecosystem here. Lake Bowman is impressive in scale, its length is about 11 km, and its width is about 1.5 km.

This fabulously beautiful lake is considered one of the most transparent in the world, today tourists are provided with all the conditions for organizing interesting holiday. They can not only walk around the reserve, but also spend several days in a tent camp. There are a lot of fish in the lake, which tourists are allowed to catch, and in some areas of the lake you can swim.

The tent camp located on the shore of the lake is open only in the warm season, it is well equipped. Toilets and even showers are equipped on its territory, and every effort is being made to preserve the ecology of these places. Today, the main guests of this "resort" are local residents, although, for last years Bowman Lake attracts and ample foreign travelers. It is not difficult to get to this wonderful lake; a motor road runs along the part of the reserve.

Lake Sheosar, Pakistan


In the northern part of Pakistan, on the territory of the Deosai National Park, there is a fabulously beautiful Lake Sheosar. It gained popularity among tourists precisely because of its crystal clean water, for hundreds of years this lake has remained one of the the purest reservoirs planets. The maximum depth of this lake is 40 meters, its length reaches 2.3 km, and its width is 1.8 km. This lake is located in a very inaccessible mountainous area, at an altitude of 4,142 meters above sea level.

For travelers, both automobile and walking tours By nature reserve. It takes just a few hours to get to the hard-to-reach mountainous area by jeep, while the walk usually takes at least two days. It is best for nature lovers to walk around the reserve on foot. There are several specially designated areas on its territory where you can set up a tent camp.

best time the period from the beginning of June to the end of September is considered to visit the beautiful lake and walks around the reserve, at which time the plateaus surrounding the lake are covered with carpets of bright colors. Butterflies are one of the main inhabitants of these picturesque places; there are several dozen species of them here. Already in November, a beautiful valley and a lake hides snow under its thickness, it completely disappears only by May. During the cold season, excursions around the reserve are not carried out.

Peyto Lake, Canada

In Canada, one of the cleanest lakes is worth looking for on the territory of Banff National Park, where the world-famous Peyto Lake is located. This lake is located in an incredibly beautiful foothill area, its area is about 5.3 square meters. km. The length of the lake stretches for 2.8 km, and its average width is only 800 meters. The first to discover this amazing lake was the traveler Bill Peyto, in honor of his discoverer, the lake got its name.

One of the main features of the lake is its unusual shape, if you look at it from a bird's eye view, it resembles a huge wolf's head. The water in the lake has a rich turquoise hue, which also attracts attention. Every year the lake is replenished with water from nearby glaciers. Mountain streams bring with them the smallest particles of minerals into the lake, which make the color of the water so unusual. Now, several comfortable recreation centers are equipped for tourists on the shore of the lake. Here you can have a great rest for several days and enjoy the natural splendor.

Fishing enthusiasts are especially attracted to these places; rainbow trout, salmon, pike and other species of noble fish are found in the lake. Those who want to fish in this wonderful place should take care of purchasing a license in advance. Guests of the reserve can diversify their vacation with exciting walks; extensive forests are located along the shores of the lake. Here you can see many rare animals and birds, and in the summer, rare species of flowers bloom in the reserve.

Lake Baikal, Russia


On South Eastern Siberia There is a world-famous attraction - Lake Baikal. This is the world's largest reservoir fresh water and most deep lake on the planet, its maximum depth is 1,642 meters. The area of ​​the lake is 31.7 sq. km. The lake is interesting not only in itself, it is surrounded by unique natural landscapes. Many unique endemic animals live here, and you can also see a lot of rare plants.

Lake Baikal has tectonic origin, the water in it is considered one of the cleanest in the world and is home to valuable fish species. One of the main features of water is the high oxygen content, while the amount of minerals is very small. Lake Baikal is also one of the coldest in the world, the water temperature in it, even in the summer months, does not rise above +8 degrees Celsius.

One of the main unresolved issues related to the lake remains the theory of its origin. According to scientists, its formation was provoked by tectonic activity, the age of the lake is at least 25 million years. The inhabitants of the lake are of great interest to researchers; there are more than 2,600 species of them here. More than half of the aquatic inhabitants are endemic, they cannot be found in any other body of water in the world. One of the most important ecological problems of Lake Baikal is sewage. Many rivers flow into the lake, the water in some of them is polluted by industrial waste.

Moraine Lake, Canada


In Canada, there is the famous glacial lake Moraine, it is located on the territory of Banff National Park. This lake is very small, its area is only 500 square meters. meters, and the maximum depth reaches 14 meters. However, the beauty of this lake is difficult to find equal. The discoverer of this unique natural landmark was explorer Walter Wilcox. When he discovered this lake, then inseparably admire it for half an hour. Later, in his manuscripts, the scientist noted that these were the happiest half an hour in his life.

This lake is located in a very inaccessible mountainous area, so for a long time no one knew about its existence. The water in the lake, which fills it from year to year during the melting of glaciers, has a rich sapphire hue. Against the backdrop of the surrounding mountain ranges, the lake looks fantastic. The best time to visit the lake is June, when the peak of the melting of glaciers falls, the lake reaches its maximum size.

Travelers can visit Moraine Lake only from May to September, the rest of the year Mountain road closed for security reasons. You can easily get to the lake by car, the nearest large locality is the City of Calgary. In recent years, organized excursions have been conducted to the lake, according to tourist route bus runs. Half an hour from the lake there is a small mountain village, which will also be very interesting to visit as part of the tour.

Jenny Lake, USA


Jenny Lake is located in northwestern Wyoming, today it is part of the Grand Triton National Park. This lake also has a glacial origin, it is located at an altitude of more than 2,000 meters above sea level. According to researchers, the lake was formed about 12,000 years ago, its maximum depth reaches 129 meters, and the area is about 482 square meters. km. Despite the fact that this lake is one of the cleanest in the world, it is allowed to drive on it. motor boats which is actively used not only by researchers, but also by tourists.

The main route, formed along the shores of the lake, is called the Jenny Lake Trail. Excursions are carried out here not only during the day, but also at night. Nearby is the beautiful Cascade Canyon, which is also an important attraction of these places. The name of the lake has a very interesting history. In 1872, one of the first large expeditionary groups worked on the lake, led by the Englishman Richard Lee. This beautiful lake was later named after his wife Jenny.

Another attractive feature of the reservoir is the diversity of fish species. Fishing was allowed here several years ago. The most treasured prey of fishermen is trout, to go fishing here, you need to get a special license. Tourists are allowed to travel to these places only accompanied by guides, among the inhabitants of the nearby forests there are many predatory animals, bears are also found here. Like many years ago, today the national park attracts hunters, and climbers like to relax here.

Lake Pukaki, New Zealand


New Zealand also has many wonderful lakes worthy of the attention of tourists. One of them is worth looking for on the South Island, where the beautiful Pukaki Lake is located. This lake of glacial origin has become known throughout the world due to the rich blue color of the water, which, among other things, is also incredibly clean. The area of ​​the lake is 178.7 sq. km, it is located at an altitude of more than 500 meters above sea level. This fabulously beautiful reservoir stretches for 15 km in length, and its width is about 8 km.

A few years ago, Lake Pukaki became part of a large hydropower system, experts made sure that such use of the reservoir would in no way affect its environmental performance. For local residents, the appearance of a hydrotechnical hub was a real breakthrough, it was thanks to the lake that they finally received stable electricity.

Not everyone knows that the original glacial lake was very small, its maximum depth was no more than 25 meters. When in the 40s of the last century they began to build a hydrotechnical station, the volume of the lake was significantly increased. Initially, in the center of the lake there was a small island, which, as a result of the expansion of the reservoir, was flooded. Water in glacial lake always very cold, so take a dip in its crystal clear azure water not everyone dares. Even at the height of summer, its temperature is no more than + 7 degrees Celsius. The locals have many associated with the lake. beautiful legends, it got its name in honor of one of the mythical warriors.

Lake Tahoe, USA


California is amazing freshwater lake Tahoe, it is located in the picturesque foothills of the Sierra Nevada. This lake is well known to tourists; there are several popular ski resorts in the immediate vicinity. Lake Tahoe is the second most deep lakes USA, its average depth is 305 meters, and the area is about 495 square meters. km. From the number the most beautiful lakes World Tahoe is considered one of the most easily accessible, large roads pass along the entire perimeter of the reservoir.

The lake was formed at the site of a geological fault in the earth's crust about 3 million years ago. Today, not only the lake itself with fantastic sky-colored water, but also the surrounding lakes are of great interest. coniferous forests. Here you can see many rare species of pines and fir, as well as rare species of shrubs and herbs. The lake was discovered relatively recently, in 1844, its discoverer is Lieutenant John Fremont.

He researched these mountainous areas in search of a river, but discovered an incredibly beautiful lake, which a few years later was explored by scientists from all over the world. Most tourists began to visit these places after 1960, when one of local resorts passed the winter Olympic Games. Since then, there has remained a beautiful tourism infrastructure Today, comfortable hotels are located near the lake, and there are also many ski slopes of various difficulty levels. Hikers will also find it interesting to relax here. Exciting excursions are held near the lake at any time of the year.

Blue Lake, New Zealand


One of the cleanest and unusual lakes on the planet with complicated name Rotomairewhenua is located in New Zealand and its name means "Blue Lake" in the Maori language. This miniature freshwater lake is located within the Nelson National Wildlife Refuge and is part of a complex system of lakes. Ecologists began to study the reservoir in detail only in 2011, they accidentally discovered that the water in the lake is extremely clean.

Visibility in it can reach 80 meters. From year to year, the lake is fed by water from nearby glaciers. Flowing from the mountain peaks, it passes through many natural rocks that act as a natural filter. Largely due to its purity, the water in the lake has an amazing shade that varies from deep blue to light purple during the day.

One of the first specialists to show interest in the lake was hydrologist Rob Mirriles. After admiring the crystal clear water, travelers should definitely take a walk through the surrounding forests and mountain ranges. Near the lake there are no tourist bases, it is extremely rare to meet travelers here. The main visitors to these picturesque places are researchers and ecologists, not so long ago, as a result of a major study of water in blue lake they equated in properties and quality to distilled water.

Petermann River, Greenland


Some rivers also amaze with amazing purity of water. An excellent example is the Petermann River, located in Greenland, known to a wide range of travelers under the unofficial name of the Blue River. The location of the river is the glacier of the same name, which melts in the summer and forms many small streams. All of them converge into a single river, the water in which has a rich blue hue.

Incredibly beautiful and clean river poses a huge threat to the global environment. In recent years, the Petermann Glacier has begun to melt four times faster, which contributes to a significant increase in the level of the world's oceans. According to researchers, in the coming years, the glacier will melt even more intensively, which can lead to serious environmental disasters. In the meantime, the crystal clear river represents big interest for scientists. They can assess the composition of glacial waters that have been frozen for millions of years.

It is very difficult for ordinary travelers to get to this remote corner of the world with an incredibly harsh climate; this can only be done together with organized expedition groups. Now ecologists are trying to do everything possible measures to minimize the influx of glacier meltwater into the world ocean. In the coming years, he may lose up to 100 square meters. kilometers of ice, this amount of melt water would be enough to provide a large metropolis for 10 years.

Weddell Sea, Antarctica


Off the coast of West Antarctica lies the beautiful Weddell Lake, which is also one of the cleanest bodies of water on the planet. It bears its name in honor of the discoverer J. Weddell, who made an expedition to these places in 1832. The area of ​​the sea is 2,900,000 sq. km, and its maximum depth reaches 6,800 meters. In addition to the incredibly beautiful sky-colored water, the sea is distinguished by a huge number of ice floes that float in it all year round.

This beautiful clear sea has become home to thousands of aquatic inhabitants, huge populations of whales, seals and fish live here, and penguins are also typical inhabitants of these places. Today, the Weddell Sea is considered the cleanest in the world. The last major survey of its water was in 1986, with an average visibility of 79 meters, which is in line with distilled water.

Far from all research groups decide to swim in this sea, not to mention ordinary tourists, drifting ice poses a huge threat to ships. WITH north sea associated with many natural and physical phenomena. The water in it never freezes, despite the fact that its temperature can reach -25 degrees Celsius. The Weddell Sea is the coldest and cleanest sea on the planet. To see it with their own eyes, travelers need to be part of one of the research expeditions, but this harsh sea they are very rare

Wayward Reservoirs

Lost lakes

The lakes are very curious, as if playing hide and seek, now disappearing from the face of the earth, then reappearing. In the spring, due to the abundance of melt water, they overflow, and in the summer they begin to shallow and suddenly completely disappear. In our country there are several such reservoirs - in the area between Onega and White lakes, as well as in Nizhny Novgorod, Novgorod and Leningrad regions. In spring and early summer, these reservoirs are not particularly different from their counterparts. Although if you look closely, in completely calm weather, when the surface of ordinary lakes is calm, it ripples and worries, and closer to the center there is something like a cycle. This is because there are deep funnel-shaped pits at the bottom of the reservoirs, into which, twisting in a spiral, water leaves.

After the flood, when the inflow of melt water weakens, the water level in these lakes drops. They quickly become shallow: first, islands appear and grow, then the bottom is exposed. And finally, there comes a moment when the reservoirs simply disappear. In the driest years, people graze cattle and mow grass in their place.

The most famous of the disappearing reservoirs are Shimozero, Kushtozero and Sukhoe. The first disappears in August, the second - in July, the third - in September. Lake Dry, for example, is connected by an underground passage with Ilmen, and Kushtozero with Onega. It used to happen that a pike released in Sukhoi with an earring or a radio sensor was later caught in Ilmen.

Scientists explain the disappearance of such lakes by purely geological reasons. These reservoirs are located in the region karst caves and feed underground lakes, as well as various springs and springs. Sometimes a collapse occurs at the site of the funnels, and then the “drain” is clogged. In such cases, reservoirs can exist unchanged for several years, but in the end the water still dissolves limestone and dolomite rocks and washes itself new way in the dungeon.

Unusual content

Some of the natural lakes are filled with such unusual contents that one can only be surprised at the vagaries of nature. Take, for example, Lake Trinidad, located fifty kilometers from the northern part of Venezuela, near the settlement of La Brea, and filled with ... real asphalt. The lake is located in the crater of the former mud volcano, its depth is 90 meters, and the area is 46 hectares. Coming out of the bowels of the earth through the mouth of a volcano, lying on great depths oil loses volatile substances, resulting in the conversion into asphalt. All this takes place in the center of the lake basin, in a place called Mother Lake. Up to 150 thousand tons of asphalt, which is used for construction purposes, is mined in the Mother Lake, but its reserves are inexhaustible.

A person can safely walk on the surface of the lake, with the exception of its center, without fear of perishing in a viscous mass. But it is impossible to stay for a long time and linger in one place without moving: the thickness of the asphalt begins to drag on. Any object left on the surface of the lake disappears into the black abyss after a while. Scientists who explored the subsoil asphalt lake, discovered a whole cemetery of prehistoric animals - the bones of mastodons, extinct in glacial period, and even the remains of ancient lizards.

There are reserves of asphalt in the Dead Sea, famous for its healing properties. Many people know about its extreme salinity and unique composition of water, but not everyone has ever heard of asphalt deposits. Accumulations of asphalt, resembling resin in appearance, from time to time float to the surface and are thrown ashore by waves. Asphalt has been mined in the Dead Sea since ancient times. It is used in various industries: for building roads, tarring ships, obtaining all kinds of chemical products ... Until the middle of the 20th century, it was believed that the Dead Sea region was practically the only supplier of asphalt in the world, and only in the 50s of the last century were discovered and new deposits have been developed.

The hottest and most explosive

Near the Red Sea Sinai Peninsula, there is one amazing lake. It is separated from the sea by a wide bridge made of petrified shell rock. Marine fish and other representatives of the fauna live in the upper layers of the lake, bluish-green algae grow in shallow water. And the amazing thing about this lake is its temperature. At the surface, the water temperature almost all year round is invariably +16°С, at a depth of 6 meters or more it fluctuates from +48°С in winter to +60°С in summer. Because of this, all living creatures prefer to settle in the upper layer. The upper and lower tiers also differ in salinity: at the top it is 42-43 ppm, and near the bottom it is twice as rich. There are other hot and salty lakes in the world, but none of them has such an amazing vertical distribution of salinity and temperature.

The warmest body of water in the country of eternal frost is in Antarctica. The thickness of the ice covering Lake Vanda is 4 meters. Directly under the ice, the water is fresh, and at a depth it is already salty. Even in the most severe frosts, reaching -50-70°C, the temperature of the water under the ice does not drop below +6°C, and at the bottom (at a depth of 70 meters) it is +25-28°C, as if in some south sea. The most amazing thing is that there are no hot springs at the bottom of this reservoir! Wanda's secret, according to scientists, is that the lake is a kind of giant thermos. Its crystal clear and clear waters, which do not contain any microorganisms, are well warmed up by the sun through a lens of ice that refracts the sun's rays. The warmest are deep waters, which, due to their salinity, greater density and gravity, remain below and do not mix with the upper layers.

The most beautiful lake Bosumtwi is located in the Republic of Ghana, in tropical African forests, 30 kilometers southeast of the city of Kumasi. It is known as the most unpredictable body of water in the world. Bosumtwi has the shape of a regular circle, as if someone had drawn a circle with a gigantic compass and dug a hole here about 400 meters deep and 7 kilometers in diameter. The color of the water in the lake is bluish, in some places along the shores the jungle parted and form glades, on which there are small settlements. Several mountain streams flow into the lake, but not a single river flows out of it. Apparently, therefore, the water level in it is steadily rising, gradually flooding the villages located on the shore. But most of all, Bosumtwi shocks people with his explosive temper. For many months it keeps silence and calm, when suddenly it suddenly explodes: in its depths, a giant air bubble seems to burst, huge cascades of water fly up, the surface of the lake boils and rages. Gradually, Bosumtwi calms down.

Because of such explosions, a lot of fish die, and the natives collect prey with nets. Scientists believe that the cause of the explosions are bottom sediments, in which organic matter decays. The released gases accumulate to the maximum limit, and then violently escape from the bowels of the lake.

For geographers, Bosumtwi is a real mystery. Some researchers believe that the lake was formed as a result of a giant meteorite falling to Earth, others adhere to the hypothesis of an antimatter explosion that did not leave any fragments and debris behind. And finally, the most plausible version is the formation of Bosumtwi as a result of volcanic activity. It is likely that the lake, located in a mountainous region, occupies the bottom of a destroyed volcano cone that existed in ancient times.

Hiding the secret of origin

Lake Mogilnoe, located on the island of Kildin near Kola Peninsula, is considered the most "puff" body of water in the world. The height of the water in it is slightly higher than sea level, despite the fact that it is separated from the sea by only a gravel-sand barrier. Resembling a layer cake, the reservoir is divided into five completely independent, different tiers-floors. The lowest tier, located at a depth of 17-18 meters, is filled with liquid silt. Organic residues coming from the upper floors rot here. This layer is dead, deprived of oxygen, but in large quantities there is hydrogen sulfide. The only inhabitants of the first tier are some types of bacteria. On the second floor, eternal twilight reigns, the water is saturated with purple-colored bacteria, coloring it in a cherry-pink color. These bacteria actively absorb and oxidize the hydrogen sulfide coming from below, so that the deadly gas does not pass into the upper tiers.

In the third layer from the bottom, life is in full swing. There are starfish, hedgehogs and crustaceans on this floor, as well as a special type of cod, called Kildin in honor of the island. The fourth floor is a transition zone, the water in it is moderately brackish, marine life No. But the fifth, uppermost, tier is filled with fresh (!) Water, cold and clear. Numerous inhabitants live there, typical of Arctic reservoirs. Mogilny Lake is one of the oldest. It survived several geological epochs and preserved some species of living creatures that have long disappeared in the neighboring Barents Sea. Researchers still do not know how this lake appeared and why it is divided into layers.

There is also the most lifeless body of water on the territory of Russia, in which, it would seem, there are excellent conditions for the existence of all kinds of living creatures. This is Lake Empty, located in the Kuznetsk Alatau region. All the reservoirs around are teeming with fish, and there is nothing in the Empty, despite the fact that the lakes are connected by rivers. Researchers have repeatedly tried to populate a strange body of water various types fish, giving preference to the most unpretentious, but nothing came of it: the fish did not take root. The empty remains empty. And no one can explain how it arose and why this mysterious reservoir is still devoid of any life.

But the most dangerous body of water on our planet is rightfully considered the Lake of Death, located on the island of Sicily. All its banks and waters are devoid of any vegetation and living creatures, and swimming in it is deadly. Any living being that enters this scary lake, instantly dies. It is worth a curious person to stick an arm or leg into the water - and he immediately feels a strong burning sensation, after which, pulling back his limb, he watches with horror how the skin becomes covered with blisters and burns. The chemists who analyzed the contents of the lake were quite surprised. The water of the Lake of Death contains sulfuric acid in a fairly large concentration. On this occasion, scientists have put forward several hypotheses, for example, that the lake dissolves some unknown rocks and is enriched with acids due to this. However, studies have confirmed a different version. It turned out that concentrated sulfuric acid is thrown into the Lake of Death by two sources located at its bottom.

In Algiers, near the city of Sidi Bel Abbes, there is natural lake filled with real... ink. It is clear that there are no fish or plants in the reservoir, since the ink is poisonous and is suitable only for writing with it. For a long time, people could not understand how a substance so unusual for a reservoir arises, and recently scientists have finally figured out the cause of this phenomenon. One of the rivers flowing into the lake contains a huge amount of dissolved iron salts, and the other contains all kinds of organic compounds, many of which are borrowed from peat bogs located in the river valley. Merging together into the lake basin, the streams interact with each other, and in the course of constantly occurring chemical reactions, ink is formed. Some of the locals consider the black lake to be a devilish idea, while others, on the contrary, try to benefit from it. Therefore, he has half a dozen names. Among the most famous are the Eye of the Devil, the Black Lake and the Inkwell. Well, ink from it is sold in stationery stores not only in Algeria, but also in many other countries.