Top 30 Deepest Lakes In The World

1. Lake Baikal – 5,387 feet

Lake Baikal in Russia is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world’s deepest lake. It is also the world’s oldest lake, dating back 25 million years. Half of the lake’s 60 native fish species and a freshwater seal are endemisms. Baikal has 20% of the world’s unfrozen freshwater, which equates to around 5,662 cubic miles of crystal pure freshwater, which is greater than the total volume of the Great Lakes of North America.

2. Lake Tanganyika – 4,823 feet

Lake Tanganyika, at 4,823 feet deep, is the world’s second deepest lake. It is also the longest lake in the world, stretching over four countries: Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, and Zambia. It holds around 18% of the world’s freshwater, or to nearly 4,500 cubic miles of water. Tanganyika is bordered by six major and many minor islands. It has a pH of 8.4 water and 250 cichlid species, 98% of which are indigenous. Cichlids exhibit adaptive and evolutionary radiation as well. Tanganyika has its own species of freshwater sardine, jellyfish, and sponge.

3. Caspian Sea – 3,363 feet

The Caspian Sea is the third deepest lake in the world, measuring 3,363 feet and bordered by Russia, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Iran, and Azerbaijan. Although it has no connection to the ocean, it stores approximately 18,800 cubic miles of water with a salinity of 1.2%. The Volga River supplies 80% of its water. The caviar-producing Beluga sturgeon is located in the lake with the tuna, which has been the centre of the local fishing economy. It has its own population of fish and seals. The lake’s surroundings and the lake itself have oil deposits, some of which have been exploited.

4. Lake Vostok – 3,300 feet

Vostok Lake in Antarctica is the world’s fourth deepest lake, at 3,300 feet. It got its name from the nearby Russian Vostok Station. It contains around 1,300 cubic miles of freshwater and is located 1,600 feet beneath the ice surface. Its water has a high percentage of oxygen and nitrogen and is always under tremendous pressure in complete darkness. Microbial creatures have been discovered in ice core drillings, and extremophile microorganisms discovered on frozen lake waters indicate the presence of further life. Environmental organisations are defending the lake, claiming that the ice drilling technologies used might contaminate the lake water beneath the ice.

5. O’Higgins-San Martin Lake – 2,742

At 2,742 feet, O’Higgins-San Martin Lake is the world’s fifth deepest lake, and its area in Patagonia is shared by Chile and Argentina. It takes its name from two Chilean independence fighters. In Chile, the lake is known as Lago O’Higgins, while in Argentina, it is known as Lago San Martin. Its design creates finger-like extensions that finish in both nations’ flooded lowlands. The majority of its water comes from the Mayer River, while the Pascua River empties into the Pacific Ocean.

6. Lake Malawi – 2,315

Lake Malawi is the sixth deepest lake in the world, measuring 2,316 feet and straddling the borders of Malawi, Mozambique (where it is known as Lago Niassa), and Tanzania (where it is known as Lake Nyasa). It has around 2,000 cubic miles of freshwater and is a meromictic lake with non-mixing water levels. In addition to non-cichlid species, Malawi is home to around 1,000 cichlid fish species that are still evolving. The majority of its water comes from the Ruhuhu River, while the Shire River empties its water into the Zambezi River.

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