Lake Baikal in Siberia tops the list of the deepest lakes in the world, containing one-fifth of the planet’s unfrozen freshwater reserves.
1. Lake Baikal (1,642m)
Lake Baikal in Siberia. (Photo: Mentalfloss)
Lake Baikal, the jewel of the Siberian region, is often regarded as a natural wonder. It is the deepest lake in the world, reaching a depth of 1,642 meters. This ancient lake, estimated to be 25 million years old, holds more freshwater than any other lake, accounting for about 20% of the planet’s unfrozen surface freshwater. The lake’s clear waters are home to many unique wildlife species such as the Baikal seal, also known as Nerpa, the only freshwater seal species on Earth, with an estimated population of around 100,000 individuals.
Lake Baikal features 27 islands, the largest of which is Olkhon, spanning 72 km. The lake and its surrounding area boast a rich ecosystem with over 1,500 recorded animal species, 80% of which are endemic.
2. Lake Tanganyika (1,470m)
Spanning four countries—Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Tanzania, and Zambia—this African lake is a vital resource for local communities and a hotspot for aquatic life. Located in East Africa, Tanganyika is the second deepest lake in the world, with a depth of 1,470 meters. Diverse species inhabit the lake, and millions of people depend on it for their livelihoods. Some common species found in Lake Tanganyika include vibrant emperor cichlids, crocodiles, and hippopotamuses.
3. Caspian Sea (1,025m)
The Caspian Sea is often mistaken for an ocean due to its vastness. (Photo: Facts.net).
The Caspian Sea is often mistaken for an ocean due to its immense size. As the largest lake in the world, it is situated at the intersection of Asia and Europe. With a depth of 1,025 meters, the lake has a unique and diverse ecosystem, including sturgeon. Five countries—Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Iran, and Azerbaijan—share its shores.
The Caspian Sea is approximately the size of Japan, covering an area of 370,000 square kilometers. Its northern part is relatively shallow, with depths ranging from 4 to 6 meters, while the southern region contains the deepest point at 1,025 meters below the surface. The Volga, Ural, and Terek rivers flow from the north into the Caspian Sea, which contains around 50 scattered islands, most of which are quite small.
4. Lake Vostok (1,000m)
Beneath the Antarctic ice, this subglacial lake has been in darkness for millions of years. Lake Vostok is hidden beneath enormous ice shelves in Antarctica, located 1,000 meters below the ice surface. Stretching over 257 km and 48 km wide, the lake is shrouded in perpetual darkness. The deepest part of the lake lies at its southern end, reaching nearly 1,000 meters deep, contrasting with the shallower northern and southwestern areas.
The existence of this concealed lake was first mentioned in the 1990s by a Russian geographer and pilot observing from above. However, it wasn’t until 1993, through satellite radar mapping, that the scientific community could confirm the existence of Lake Vostok.
5. Lake O’Higgins/San Martín (836m)
Lake O’Higgins/San Martín is a glacial lake in Patagonia. (Photo: iStock).
Spanning the remote wilderness of Patagonia between Chile and Argentina, Lake O’Higgins/San Martín reaches a depth of about 836 meters. It is one of the deepest lakes in the world and a center of biodiversity and geology. This lake serves as an important water source and habitat for a variety of wildlife, including several fish and bird species that are unique to the Patagonia region.
