Lakes are one of the most important freshwater resources for the earth. While considering in terms of nature, the more depth the lakes have, the more catchment they presume. Can you just imagine that some of the top lakes listed here have the depths over a kilometer distance? Though the water seems most of the times stable, the depth personally haunts me. Henceforth, these are some of the deepest lakes that are to be kept in mind before exploring. Additionally, having such great depths also contributes to some rare species to be endemic on some lakes on the list here.
Here, we have come up with the 10 deepest lakes in the world that can resemble an ocean.
10. Matano, Indonesia
Also recognized as “Matano”, the Lake Matano ranks at the tenth position holding a depth record of 590 meters. Located in South Sulawesi, Indonesia, the lake is considered the deepest in Indonesia. Also, there are many endemic fish species living there and they are endangered too due to pollution. The lake water of Matano contains green sulfur bacteria that promotes photosynthesis. Additionally, the fish species endemic to Matano are affected either due to the rivalry of new fishes as well as increasing pollution.
9. Crater Lake, United States
Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States and considered as a crater lake. The maximum depth of the lake is estimated at 594 meters. The lake is surrounded by snow and there are no river streams to flow through the lake. Additionally, the lake water is known to get replaced every 250 years by both snowfall and rain. Initially, the lake was named as the “Deep Blue Lake” by a non-American, John Wesley Hillman. The mean depth of the lake is at 350 meters and is accounted for third in the world while considering the mean depth. Finally, to be very interesting to note that the lake water is considered one of the purest waters available on earth. The water quality of this lake is maintained due to lacking inlets that completely avoid water being polluted.
8. Great Slave Lake, Canada
Great Slave Lake is one of the most renowned lakes in Canada and is considered the deepest lake in North America. With a maximum depth of 614 meters, the Great Slave Lake holds 380 cubic mi volume of water. The name “Slave” comes from the First Nations peoples called Slavey of the Dene. Aboriginal Canadians were the initial settlers around the lake and various cultures were evident since then. Some portions of the lake fall under the areas of Thaydene Nene National Park Reserve. Further, about eight months in a year, the lake is seen frozen. Finally, never try to fall in dangers of yourself as the lake shorelines are very irregular.
7. Issyk Kul, Kyrgyzstan
Issyk Kul is a fantastic lake located in the northern mountains in eastern Kyrgyzstan. There has been a significant penetration of tourism at this spot that basically involves in vacation resorts, vacation homes, and hotel complexes. The lake also contributes massively in terms of its incredible depth of 668 meters. The lake is accounted as the tenth largest lake in terms of volume in the world. The name Issyk-Kul comes from the Kyrgyz language, which means “warm lake”. Further, the water is saline by nature and has been estimated to be about 0.6% verse the 3.5% salinity of actual seawater.
6. Lake Malawi
Lake Malawi, also recognized as “Lake Nyasa”, is the third largest lake in Africa. Located between Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania, the Lake Malawi is at a maximum depth of 706 meters. Further, the lake is known to have an average depth of 292 meters. The length of the lake is incredibly high at 560 kilometers with a total surface area of about 29,600 square kilometers. Lake flies are something interesting to note in the lake regions. The lake flies are seen in bulk swarming in the lake that basically feeds on zooplankton. They are sometimes mistaken for smoke plumes from far distances. Further, a lot more than expected life forms reside in the lake and some to name are Nile crocodiles, hippopotamus, monkeys, African fish eagles, and numerous aquatic lives.
5. O’Higgins-San Martin, Argentina
Unlike most of the lakes having a single catchment area, the O’Higgins-San Martin lake happens to be unique in terms of structure. Subsequently, it has eight arms through the head and tail of the lake and has a surface area of 1,013 square kilometers. Falling under the territories of Argentina, the O’Higgins-San Martin is known to have a maximum depth of 836 meters. If you are somewhere in the city of Argentina, then never miss a chance to visit the lake. Adding on to the tourist attractions, the O’Higgins-San Martin is also the most commonly visited tourist spots in Argentina. Finally, the name O’Higgins-San Martin comes after they fought against themselves for the liberation of Chile.
This lake is one of the deepest lakes in the Americas.
4. Lake Vostok, Antarctica
Lake Vostok is a subglacial lake located in the South Antarctic regions of Russia. The name Vostok comes after a “sloop-of-war” ship, a Royal Navy combat vessel as well as the Vostok Station. With a maximum depth of 900 meters, the Vostok Lake grabs a top spot in the list of deepest lakes in the world. The estimate years of lake water isolation itself is accounted to be between 15 and 25 million.
Further, the lake comprises of 1,300 cubic mi volume of water standing sixth largest in the world. Consequently, the Vostok Lake has even contributed in the history of coldest places ever with a recording of -89 degree Celsius on 21 July 1983. As most regions of the lake are in the form of ice, there is more surmise of life forms to be discovered down the lake waters. Lastly, the liquid for deep into the lake was estimated to have been trapped by a thick ice sheet over 15 million years ago.
3. Caspian Sea
The Caspian Sea is considered the largest inland body of water in the world. Located between Europe and Asia, the sea consist of 18,800
2. Lake Tanganyika, Central Africa
Lake Tanganyika is a fantastic lake located in Central Africa, which is best known for its depth. Also, famously known for being the second oldest freshwater lake in the world. The lake is known to have a maximum depth of 1,470 meters holding a record 16% world’s fresh water. Additionally, the lake falls under the territories of four states namely Burundi, DR Congo, Tanzania, and Zambia. Further, while considering the water characteristics, there is lesser oxygen deeper down the lake, which contain “fossil water”. Therefore, as the water volume is considerable large, the lake is home to some of the threatened species like Storm’s water cobra and Nile crocodiles.
1. Lake Baikal, Russia
Lake Baikal is the deepest lake in the world having the largest volume of freshwater at 5,670 cubic mi. Located in southern Siberia, the lake’s depth is considered the deepest at 1,642 meters. Additionally, the Lake Baikal falls under the UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is also considered the oldest and clearest lakes in the world. Further, the age of the lake is something to be admired with an estimated year between 25 and 30 million. Also recognized as “the Pearl of Siberia”, the lake happens to be one of the most famous tourist destinations in Russia.