In the heart of Siberia lies a body of water so vast it holds one-fifth of all liquid freshwater on the Earth's surface. This is Lake Baikal. Formed in a rift valley between 25 and 30 million years ago, it is the world’s most ancient lake. Its scale is difficult to grasp; at 1,642 metres deep, it is the deepest lake on the planet, and it contains more water than all five of North America's Great Lakes combined. For centuries, its immense size and isolation have guarded secrets beneath its surface. But this is no quiet, sleeping giant. Baikal is a place of constant change, a geological marvel that is still growing today. The story of Baikal is the story of how our planet lives and breathes.
Lake Baikal
Lake Baikal in Siberia, the world's oldest and deepest lake: its active rift, its unique wildlife, Buryat legend, the 1904 railway laid across its ice, and the neutrino telescope in its depths.
Chapter 1
The Blue Eye of Siberia
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Lake Baikal's water so clear?
The water's legendary clarity is maintained by tiny crustaceans called Epishura baicalensis. These creatures make up about 90% of the lake's zooplankton and act as a massive natural filtration system, consuming algae and bacteria that would otherwise cloud the water.
Is Lake Baikal really the world's deepest lake?
Yes, Lake Baikal reaches a maximum depth of 1,642 metres (5,387 feet), making it the deepest lake on Earth. It is also the world's oldest, at 25 to 30 million years old, and the most voluminous freshwater lake.
What is the Baikal seal?
The Baikal seal, or Nerpa, is the world's only exclusively freshwater seal species. It is one of the lake's most famous endemic species, meaning it is found nowhere else on the planet. Scientists are still studying how its ancestors arrived from the Arctic Ocean.
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