Which is the deepest lake in the World?
VerifiedAnswer: Lake Baikal
Explanation:
Lake Baikal, located in southern Siberia, Russia, holds the remarkable distinction of being the world's deepest lake with a maximum depth of approximately 1,642 meters (5,387 feet). This incredible depth makes it deeper than many ocean trenches and gives it the capacity to hold about 20% of the world's unfrozen freshwater.
Beyond its impressive depth, Lake Baikal is also the world's oldest lake, estimated to be around 25-30 million years old. The lake was formed by tectonic activity along the Baikal Rift Zone, where the Earth's crust continues to slowly separate. This ongoing geological process means the lake is still deepening and expanding over time.
The lake stretches over 636 kilometers in length and 79 kilometers at its widest point, covering a total surface area of approximately 31,500 square kilometers. What makes Lake Baikal even more special is its exceptional biodiversity - it houses over 2,000 species of plants and animals, with about two-thirds of them being found nowhere else on Earth. The famous Baikal seal is just one example of the unique wildlife that calls this ancient lake home.
