Lake Baikal: 25 million years old and deepest lake
Siberia's 25-million-year-old Baikal plunges 1642 meters deep and holds 20 percent of world surface fresh water.
25 million years in a rift valley
About 25 million years ago crust pulled apart in Siberia, opening a 636 kilometer rift that sank 1642 meters deep and 80 kilometers wide, still widening 2 centimeters yearly.
The lake holds 23600 cubic kilometers of water, about 20 percent of unfrozen surface fresh water, with 300 rivers entering and 1 river, the Angara 1779 kilometers long, flowing out.
1642 meters deep 1700 endemics and clear ice
Over 1700 endemic species live here among 2500 known animals, including the nerpa seal 1.4 meters long, 2 meter omul fish runs and sponges 1 meter tall at 100 meters depth.
In winter ice grows 1 meter thick and stays clear for 1.6 kilometers of sight, letting light reach 40 meters deep, while summer surface warms to 15 degrees and deep water stays 4 degrees.
- Age 25 million years of rifting
- Depth 1642 meters deepest lake
- 20 percent world surface fresh water
- 1700 endemic species including nerpa
- Winter ice 1 meter thick 1.6 km sight