Located
in Siberia, Lake Baikal contains the worlds largest body of unfrozen
fresh water; approximately 20% of the worlds total. And at over 1.6km
deep at the deepest point it's also the deepest freshwater lake in the
world. And that's not all, it's also believed to be the oldest
freshwater lake in the world, with estimates placing it at 25 million
years old.
Lake Baikal has formed in a rift valley created by the Baikal Rift Zone, a divergent plate boundary. So far geologically, there has been no volcanism associated with the rift underneath the lake, but there are hot springs present both on land and under the lake. Close-by volcanic activity on the Udokan Plateau is believed to be associated with the Baikal Rift.
The climate of the Lake Baikal region averages -19°C in the winter and 14°C in the Summer.Lake Baikal has formed in a rift valley created by the Baikal Rift Zone, a divergent plate boundary. So far geologically, there has been no volcanism associated with the rift underneath the lake, but there are hot springs present both on land and under the lake. Close-by volcanic activity on the Udokan Plateau is believed to be associated with the Baikal Rift.
Home to over 1600 species of plant and animal (of which more than 80% are endemic to the region) Lake Baikal was declared a world heritage site in 1996. The Eastern side of the lake is also home to Buryat tribes (The Buryats are the largest indigenous group in Siberia and number around 500,000).
No comments:
Post a Comment