Where is Lake Baikal located in Russia?
Lake Baikal sits in southern Siberia, Russia, between Irkutsk Oblast and the Republic of Buryatia. It is a rift lake formed by the Earth's crust slowly pulling apart within the Baikal Rift Zone.
Questions about Lake Baikal
Short answers, pulled from the story.
How old is Lake Baikal and how deep does it go?
Scientists estimate that Lake Baikal is between 25 to 30 million years old, making it the most ancient lake in geological history. Its maximum depth reaches approximately 1,642 meters below sea level, which makes it the deepest lake on Earth.
Who was the first European to see Lake Baikal and when did this happen?
Kurbat Ivanov became the first European to see Lake Baikal and Olkhon Island in 1643. He sent half his party under Skorokhodov to winter on the Barguzin River while he continued exploring the region.
When did the Baykalsk Pulp and Paper Mill operate and why did it close?
The Baykalsk Pulp and Paper Mill was constructed directly on the shoreline in 1966 and closed in November 2008 due to unprofitability. Vladimir Putin legalized its operation again on the 13th of January 2010 before final bankruptcy occurred in September 2013 with 800 workers losing jobs by December 28th.
What scientific research projects are currently active at Lake Baikal?
Since 1993, neutrino research has operated within the Baikal Deep Underwater Neutrino Telescope located 1 kilometer from shore at a depth of 1,000 meters. Russia deployed two small submersibles named Mir-1 and Mir-2 to descend into the lake in July 2008 to conduct geological and biological tests.