A lake that never freezes. Mysterious lake of Altai Mountains
With winter approaching, the land and many lakes around the world are covered with ice and snow. Some of them create stunning patterns - be it the incredible air bubbles in Lake Abraham, ice flowers in Antarctica, or a natural ice rink in the Netherlands. Take a look at the 10 lakes we have selected for you this week.
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10Lake Paterswoldse Meer, Netherlands
The lake is located in the southwestern part of the city of Groningen, which is one of the largest cities in the country. While the lake is a great place to relax during the summer months, boating and kayaking, in winter it turns into a huge natural ice rink. The lake attracts a large number of visitors, both among the local population and among tourists. The ice skating experience will be made special with the impressive surroundings.
Why do you need to go here?
The lake is a great place to be entertained throughout the year. And in winter it promises to be one of the best skating rinks in the country.
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9Lake Superior, USA
When the temperature drops, Lake Superior freezes over, allowing you to walk across its surface to reach the ice caves on the Apostle Islands. The skeletons freeze up and down: from huge ice structures covering the rocks to frozen waterfalls inside the caves. Since the site was opened by the National Park Service last year, the caves have been visited by about 10,000 people.
Why do you need to go here?
An excellent opportunity to see beautiful ice-covered rocks.
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8Lake Michigan, USA
During the winter, the lake is exposed to low temperatures. Thanks to this, the lake freezes over and opens up an impressive sight. Lake St. Joseph North Pier, transformed into an ice sculpture. Or Chicago, whose shores are covered with a thick layer of ice.
Why do you need to go here?
Experience the true vitality and ferocity of nature. Ice skating and ice hockey are some of the most popular winter sports here.
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7Lake Ontario, Canada, USA
On the one hand, it is one of the five Great Lakes in North America, on the other, the lake is located near Ontario, one of the largest cities in Canada. It offers an active summer pastime, where heat-weary city dwellers head for a little refreshment. At the same time, in winter, the lake becomes a battleground for snow and ice. It also hosts winter fishing competitions.
Why do you need to go here?
The lake is one of five natural wonders that sits on the border of Canada and America.
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6Prags Lakes, Italy
Located in the commune of the same name in South Tyrol, the lakes are one of the most beautiful views in the area. Surrounded by the Dolomites, Prags Lakes offer a seclusion for romantics who decide to visit the lakes in the summer. In the meantime, they boast spectacular views in winter as well.
Why do you need to go here?
Prags is a place where you can retire in the mountains, while not taking your eyes off the natural beauty of the lake. If desired, tourists can also go to the mountains in the Dolomites.
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5Lake Abraham, Canada
An artificial lake in a quiet area turns into an exciting place in winter. The temperature can drop down to -30C, due to which this large lake freezes over. The unique circles of frozen bubbles of flammable methane coming from the depths are the result of the action of bacteria that decompose organic matter. This creates an extraordinary phenomenon that looks so amazing in winter.
Why do you need to go here?
The lake and its surroundings are a great place to immerse yourself in nature. And, of course, see these inimitable bubbles.
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4Friendship Lake, Antarctica
Located in a distant land of eternal snow and ice, the lake is truly one of the wonders of the world. It became a real sensation after Matthias Wietz captured frozen flowers on a lake - a unique combination of ice scattered over the surface of the water. Also here you can see bubbles, like on Lake Abraham.
Why do you need to go here?
Visiting Antarctica can be your lifelong goal, but it is definitely worth doing.
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3Lake Baikal, Siberia, Russia
The deepest lake in the world, at 1,642 meters deep, turns into a magnificent place once it freezes over. This freshwater lake is one of the oldest lakes in the world: at least 25 million years old! The lake also contains about 20% of the world's freshwater that does not freeze. This photo was taken during the winter season and features amazing ice prints.
Why do you need to go here?
Visit Siberia and enjoy nature, practically untouched by man. Also, you can go ice skating or take advantage of the unique opportunity to ride on the lake by car.
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2Lake Chaqmaqtin, Afghanistan
The valley of the lake cuts into the Pamir Mountains, and food is provided by several rivers. At the same time, in winter, the lake freezes over and becomes suitable for travel, both for people and for the migration of animals.
Why do you need to go here?
The Pamir is a magical place - a remote world, far from civilization, where the local population has preserved their traditions.
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1Lake Nam Tso, Tibet, China
A lake in the Himalayas is an important spiritual site. For centuries during the winter, when the lake froze over, pilgrims went to the islands in the middle of the lake. To date, the Chinese government has banned this practice.
Why do you need to go here?
Tibet is a truly special and sacred place. The country and its surrounding landscapes are worth seeing at least once in your life.
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Conclusion
This was the article Top 10 Most Beautiful Frozen Lakes in the World... Thank you for your attention!
The secret of the Blue Lake in Kabardino-Balkaria - one of the deepest in Europe - remained unsolved.
There are 8 million karst lakes in the world. The blue lake is the deepest. There is no exact data on the depth of the lake, and unmanned underwater vehicles were able to descend only to a depth of 365 meters. Scientists understand how it formed and what's down there.
The last time the Blue Lake was explored was in the 20s of the last century. It is known that its level can change several times a day. For what reason, scientists still do not know.
The blue lakes of Kabardino-Balkaria are located in the Cherek Gorge. There are 5 lakes in total. All of them have a karst nature of formation.
Lower Blue Lake is the most interesting and unique. It is located at 809 meters above sea level. It has a total water surface area of just over two hectares, and its depth is 386 meters. But there are suggestions that the depth of the lake is much deeper, because no one has yet reached its bottom. In terms of its depth, this lake ranks third in Russia after Teletskoye in Altai and Baikal. The uniqueness of the lake also lies in the fact that not a single river flows into it, and about 70 million liters of water flows out per day.
Tserik-Kel - this is what the locals call this lake, which in translation means like a rotten lake. There is a legend about the origin of this lake among the local population. Once upon a time in the territory of Kabardino-Balkaria lived the fearless hero Bataraz, who defeated the evil dragon in a duel. And when the dragon collapsed, a hole formed in the mountains, which was filled with water. The dragon still lies at the bottom of this lake and sheds tears, thereby filling the lake with water and an unpleasant smell.
Directly from the water's edge, sheer walls are visible going into the depths, and from what he sees, one gets the impression that this is a huge well. Depending on the time of day and weather, the shades of the water are constantly changing and have different colors. The water temperature in the lake in winter and summer is the same +9.3, so the lake never freezes.
Upper Blue Lakes are 2 lakes, East and West. Also these lakes are called Communicating. A dam has been built between them, and the water from the East Lake flows into the West. The East Lake is larger and deeper than the West. Fish are found in these lakes.
Secret Lake is located near the Upper Blue Lakes. And it is so named because it is located in a deep karst funnel, overgrown with a dense beech forest.
The dry lake, or it is also called the lost lake, was formed in a large karst sinkhole with sheer walls reaching depths of up to 180 meters. Previously, this sinkhole was completely filled with water, but as a result of the shuddering of the mountains, the lake disappeared and remained only at the bottom of the canyon.
Gorny Altai is known to everyone for the beauty of its nature. One of the most beautiful places today is what I want to show you. Mysterious Geyser Lake. Locals always called it Blue Lake. This name was associated with the color of the bottom. The lake is not very deep, and the water in it is so transparent that the bottom is very clearly visible. In winter, this lake does not freeze due to its warm springs.
Recently, this lake has become very popular with visitors. We can say that thousands of people travel hundreds of kilometers to look at this beauty. A feature of this lake is the patterns on the bottom, which are constantly changing. Many see them as divine faces, fantastic monsters, and even cosmic signs. This is due to the fact that springs flow from the bottom of the lake, which feed it. During this action, the bottom of the lake begins to shake and the blue sand and clay, breaking out under the pressure of water, form those same mysterious drawings.
You can watch this action for an infinitely long time. I myself was stuck on this lake for two hours. I could not tear myself away.
By the way, I was very lucky that I managed to capture the movement of the bottom, since the spring does not hit constantly and sometimes it happens that you can stand for several hours but never wait for any movement.
In general, watch and enjoy this beauty.
The lake is located 6 km from the Aktash village, in the direction of Kosh Agach at 797 km, 500 meters from the road.
If you start from the camp site at 797 km, then you need to go to the right through the meadow, towards the power line tower 500-700 meters. Not reaching 100 meters to this support, you will see the logs of the crossing over the swamp. After passing along them, turn left and follow the wires to the tower (it is located just behind the camp site). After passing it, go further under the line (well, or 10 meters to the right). After 50 meters, in a low, but rather dense bush, you will come exactly to the lake. Attention, the lake is not located in the forest between the power line and the mountain, but directly under the power lines (when photographing, they sometimes even get into the frame).
The dark bottom spins clockwise
Geyser Lake (other names - Goluboe and Serebryanoe) is located in the Ulagan region, 7 km from the Aktash village, opposite the Myony recreation center.
The lake is unique for Gorny Altai and, perhaps, for Altai as a whole. Despite its very small size, Blue Lake is very beautiful.
This beautiful and amazing lake is unique for Altai, since it is still unknown how it was formed. The water in the lake is crystal clear, has a blue color and never freezes, there are circles on its surface that periodically change their shape.
The water is crystal blue all year round. The lake is so transparent that when a fish swims in it, it feels like it is plowing along the surface with its upper fin.
The depth of the lake is about two meters, the diameter is about 25-30 meters. A rather large stream flows into the lake. The geyser lake is one of a kind - rare in beauty, clean, non-freezing even in winter.
On the mirror of the lake, you can see round or oval stains, which in fact are just a reflection of the processes taking place at the bottom of the lake. Its bottom is covered with a blue-gray sandy-clay mixture. There, in the mysterious depths, from time to time "geysers" come to life, throwing a mixture of bluish clay and sand onto the surface, which form visible concentric circles at the bottom of the lake. These circles are not permanent, they change their shape. If you're lucky, you can be present at the "eruption" and capture what is happening on the camera.
Lower Blue Lake (Tserik-Kel) is located in the valley of the Cherek-Balkarsky river at an altitude of 809 meters above sea level
"Ogonyok" together with scientists searched for its bottom. So far we have reached a depth of 279 meters, but this is clearly not the limit.
An unusual animation reigns on the shore. Numerous tourists vying with each other argue: "What are they looking for here? Or have they already found it?" The question is relevant, considering that the surface of a small reservoir literally boils from air bubbles rising from the depths. Every now and then divers, hung with oxygen cylinders, dive into the lake, here and there bathyscaphes float to the surface, and quadrocopters with video equipment hang over the water surface.
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“Here the cavalry of Tamerlane drowned - there are many bones, ancient weapons and jewels at the bottom,” an elderly Balkarian confidently asserts. "But what a cavalry! A locator is installed at the bottom, and the lake itself is a large radar. The time is hectic, so they urgently repair it. Is it not clear?" - the woman standing next to me objected with a mysterious look ...
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Tserik-Kel sounds mesmerizing by ear, but when translated from Balkar into Russian, the magic of sounds disappears, because Tserik-Kel means just "Smelly Lake". In fact, everything is correct - there is a smell of hydrogen sulfide, sometimes quite strong. But, being on the shore, you quickly get used to it, and the amazing picture of what is in front of your eyes obscures everything else: a miracle of nature with a diameter of 235 meters and unclear depth, unusually clear water with a greenish-blue tint. All this, however, is not for swimming (all year round the water temperature in the lake is about 9 degrees) and not for fishing (only small crustaceans live in the cold depths saturated with hydrogen sulfide), but beauty is indescribable.
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Rumor has surrounded the Blue Lake with many legends, and nature - with a mass of secrets, the keys to which scientists have been trying to find for almost 100 years. The first groups of researchers appeared on the shores of Tserik-Kel, attracted by the phenomenon: the depth of the lake exceeded its width. Professor Ivan Georgievich Kuznetsov, one of the first to conduct a detailed study of the curiosity in 1926-1927 (the study was awarded the Silver Medal of the Russian Geographical Society - for special significance), suggested that the depth of the Blue Lake exceeds 250 meters. But how much, it was not possible to determine then - the necessary tools simply did not exist. A mystery for the scientist was the fact that the lake, into which not a single stream flows from the surface, gives rise to a river that carries out 70 million liters of water every day. The professor suggested that Tserik-Kel feeds on underground springs and is of karst origin, that is, washed out by waters tending to the surface. However, it was not possible to confirm the theory at that time. Many other questions remained unanswered: in particular, scientists still cannot explain the nature of the constant water level, which does not change depending on the season and the amount of precipitation. It is also unclear why the lake has the same temperature throughout its depth all year round and never freezes. Finally, the source that feeds Tserik-Kel is also unknown. Judging by the volume, it must be a whole underground river, but it has not yet been discovered. The current expedition of the Russian Geographical Society should give answers to these questions.
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This time, the specialists thoroughly prepared and brought with them the latest equipment: 14 divers, three manned underwater vehicles and two remotely controlled robots conquer the mysterious depths.
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Blue Lake is a unique and poorly studied object. We are lucky that the research area is convenient from the point of view of logistics: we have all the necessary infrastructure, we are not dependent on weather conditions. Thanks to this, we were able to bring here a whole arsenal of equipment, - says Sergey Fokin, executive director of the Center for Underwater Research of the Russian Geographical Society, head of the group of manned underwater vehicles. - Almost all types of equipment that we have are presented here. The use of underwater vehicles gives scientists a lot of opportunities: with our help, specialists take water and soil samples, measure temperatures, and test their hypotheses. Manned underwater vehicles are the only opportunity for a scientist without diving training to see the underwater space with his own eyes.
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The C-Explorer 3 deep-sea vehicle available to the expedition (divers affectionately call it "orange" for its bright red color) copes with the tasks in the best way possible. He can take on board three specialists: a pilot and two passengers (fortunately, one of them turns out to be Ogonyok's correspondent). “The crew is ready to dive, let me make the bottom,” Sergei Fokin reports ashore. Permission has been obtained, and in a matter of seconds we are going under water. "Visibility is excellent, CO2 readings are normal," the captain reports upstairs. He does not block his ears, it is quiet and cool in the cabin, behind the glass there is a water column of an unusually beautiful blue color. The walls of a karst well and layers of rocks are perfectly visible. The sensations are fantastic, and only the changing numbers on the scoreboard bring you back to reality - you have walked 30 meters, 60, 90 ... Diving to the very bottom takes almost 15 minutes, about the same amount will be required to ascend. And the air reserves on the "orange" are enough for several hours of work at such a depth, where it is almost impossible for a diver to get close.
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The Russian record for the depth of diving with a breathing apparatus, set by divers Roman Prokhorov and Igor Galaida (by the way, they also participate in the expedition of the Russian Geographical Society) on this very lake in 2004, was 180 meters. At the same time, the divers required lengthy training, assistants and several hours of time, most of which was spent on surfacing. And Sergei Fokin and I are going lower, much lower ...
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- The spaciousness of the device is its undoubted advantage. The crew may consist of different specialists, each of whom will perform their functions: control the apparatus, work with the manipulator, make the necessary measurements, - he comments during the dive. - And also examine in detail the walls of the karst well, take water samples. Soon the device will be retrofitted with a suspended manipulator, this will allow carrying out various works at depth. Finally find and explore the bottom of the reservoir.
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The last remark regarding Tserik-Kehl is essential: there is still no clear understanding of where it is, this very bottom. Almost every new dive brings surprises. Until recently, it was believed that the established maximum depth (for specialists this is a special term) 258 meters, but already during this expedition, the numbers changed: now a new maximum depth of the reservoir has been established - 279 meters. A sensation, without exaggeration, of global significance became possible thanks to modern technology: a remotely controlled robot could crawl into a narrow cave deep in the earth's crust and a new underwater horizon opened.
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- Divers effectively explore depths of up to 100 meters, but further diving is fraught with great risks and requires a fairly long time. For manned vehicles, too, there are limitations - they cannot go everywhere, - explains Ilya Korablev, head of the group of remotely controlled unmanned underwater vehicles. - But our charges can. "Marlin-350" is a domestic development. It can dive to a depth of 350 meters. The device is equipped with color video cameras and manipulators for shooting and sampling. With the help of "Marlin" we explore underwater caves, scan the walls of the fault and draw up a 3D map of the underwater part of the lake.
So the new depth taken is his, "Marlin", merit. It is obvious to researchers: not the last one.
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As for the solution of the main riddle - where does the water come from - then, according to scientists, it is not far off. More precisely, just behind the mountains: "We found a horizontal continuation - a niche that goes towards the mountain range. This means that other horizontal caves may soon be found, through which water rich in hydrogen sulfide probably penetrates," says Nikolai Maksimovich , Deputy Director of the Natural Science Institute of the Perm State National Research University. - So the past season can be assessed unequivocally - this is a success. "
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Whim of nature
The most famous karst reservoirs of the planet / Dossier
Pozzo del Meppo(Italy) - the deepest natural well in the world. A karst cave with a diameter of 20 meters, filled with water, goes into the depths of the earth by 392 meters.
Zakaton(Mexico) is the deepest karst lake in the world, with a depth of 339 meters. The lake is filled with thermal water, but it is not fed by the source.
Source Vaucluse(France) - a small (only 25 meters in diameter) patch of water surface in Provence has a depth of about 308 meters and forms the maximum reserves of fresh water in France.
Red lake(Croatia) - the lake itself, depending on the season, has a depth of 248-270 meters, but the reservoir is "drowned" in a 530-meter funnel - sheer stone walls with a height of more than 200 meters hang over the water surface.
Big blue hole(Belize) - an underwater sinkhole of almost perfect circular shape, 120 meters deep and 300 meters in diameter. It was discovered by the famous explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau, who included it in the list of "10 Best Diving Sites".
Golubye Lakes is a system of lakes in the city of Kazan and the Vysokogorsk region of the Republic of Tatarstan, as well as a nature reserve located in a swampy and forest area adjacent to the lakes.
Lakes are natural attractions of Kazan.
Kazan residents and guests often visit this amazing place. A little later, the number of places in the parking lot will be significantly reduced.
Leaving your car in the parking lot, you need to walk about 800 meters to the main lake.
The path is picturesque enough. Autumn forest on one side and the still unfrozen Kazanka River on the other. On the contrary, in the summer, the boys jump from the bungee directly to Kazanka. Would you risk it like that?
Ahead we are met by the first waterfall flowing into Kazanka. Someone has carefully ennobled this corner. This makes it especially cozy and pleasant.
The water in the lakes is characterized by almost absolute transparency and the optical effect of the lens, in which the depth visually seems much less real. In the meantime - a small waterfall and its clear waters.
Here it is a waterfall in all its glory!
In some places, the water still freezes, forming bizarre ice pictures.
And here is the canal from the lake where walruses swim.
We got to the Main Blue)))
Bolshoy Goluboe Lake has an average depth of 1-3 meters over its larger area, but there are two karst sinkholes - Bolshaya and Malaya Puchiny. The depth of the Big Deeps is 18 meters, of the Small Deeps - 6 meters. At the bottom of the Great Deeps in the northwestern round part of the lake, springs saturated with gypsum are gushing. The water temperature in the deep rounded part of the lake varies little with the season and ranges from 5-7 degrees Celsius in summer to 3-4 in winter. From the deep rounded part, the lake zigzag along the Kazanka and ends with a runoff into it through two small waterfalls.
This inconspicuous couple passed us ... On the way back, a man with shouts and oohs revived the silence of the freezing forest of Blue Lakes, having bathed in water, which was 12 degrees warmer than the air.
In the hard, bitter taste like sea, saline water of lakes, the content of potassium-calcium sulfite-sulfate salts is high, at their bottom there are large areas of blue silt salt mud, which gave the name to the lakes. The color of the water changes with the season and weather from azure to black. In severe frosts, the water of the lakes soars strongly with local low fog.
At minus 6, the brightly shining sun gives last hope to the outgoing autumn. Winter is coming soon ...
Visitors throw coins to return to this natural landmark.
The lakes are the oxbows of the Kazanka River, flowing in the immediate vicinity, complicated by basins of karst origin. Karst sinkholes appeared in this area about 200 years ago.
Kazanka shines with the last rays of the departing autumn ...
It was along this path, when I was 10-11 years old, as a pioneer, I went down from the summer camp for a walk. I remember for some reason I did not want to stay for the continuation of the shift and with tears went home with my parents. Only 24 years have passed !!! And the memory left forever memories of this lake ...
There are bridges near the deep rounded part of the lake; this is a favorite place for year-round swimming of walruses and year-round diving in the Great Deeps of Kazan and visiting divers from several federations and unorganized ones. Here they hold their almost weekly trainings and informal meetings, in particular, the celebration of the New Year with the traditional immersion in the abyss of a decorated New Year tree and drinking champagne under water.
What brave people! 2 minutes ... Now they will shout, bravely shout "Ah" after some water, and with an air of dignity they will go to change. And many of them come to the lakes!
My attempts to go down into the water were faced with the need to go for a towel and tea ... As a result, it was decided to swim closer to summer))) In the meantime, it was -6 on the street! In the water +6!
By the way, due to the low temperature and high salt content, fish cannot be found in the water of the lakes!
On the way back, I decided to look at the world from a height ... Barely tears back ... The branches helped ...
There is a spring near the parking lot. The water is clean! The heir tried. I trust him!
Well, the hit of the Blue Lakes - the bathhouse in the lakes! The coolest thing is the first entrance - 200 rubles. Then, of course, you want to dip into the icy water of the lake, and get warm back - another 200 rubles! Competently!
And finally - the third lake, the last one. Photos from a week ago. There was no sun, it was warmer.
The places are also equipped for swimming.
The water is also clean .. However, due to the sulfur sulfate content, the smell is a little off-putting.