Lake Baikal Turquoise Ice
Straile et al 2003 ice insulates lake baikal s surface waters from ambient temperature changes in the winter and recent air temperature analyses indicate that the baikalian region has primarily experienced summertime warming since the mid 1980s kouraev et.
Lake baikal turquoise ice. The lake holds around 5 518 cubic miles or 23 000 cubic kilometers of water which is more than the amount of water contained in all of north america s great lakes combined. The water s purity also makes it safe to drink and trofimov describes it as very clean cold and delicious. Circle of thin ice diameter of 4 4 km 2 7 mi at the lake s southern tip probably caused by convection delta of the selenga river baikal s main tributary. The turquoise water of lake baikal is exceptionally clear too so clear in fact that it s possible to see through the ice down as far as 130 feet beneath the lake s surface.
The ice on lake baikal is tremendously thick so you can technically venture out onto it if you visit during the winter months. Lake baikal as seen from the orbview 2 satellite spring ice melt underway on lake baikal on 4 may. For a short time in march as the thick ice begins to melt you can catch a glimpse of these incredible turquoise masses jutting out from the surface. If you have any doubts stay on the shore.
While some ice free lakes in europe are experiencing strong warming in winter e g. Notice the ice covered north while much of the south already is ice free. You can find the sources here. Russian photographer alexey trofimov calls lake baikal the gem that does not need to be cut it s the oldest largest deepest and clearest freshwater lake in the world.
If you want to walk amongst the turquoise colored ice make sure you consult a local guide ahead of time and adhere to any safety precautions. Mysterious ice rings pose a threat in world s oldest and deepest lake huge rings forming on the frozen lake baikal in siberia that puzzled scientists for decades pose a hidden hazard to locals.