"Baikal, it would seem, should suppress a person with its grandeur and size - everything is large in it, everything is wide, free and mysterious - it, on the contrary, elevates it." These are the words of Rasputin, who in many respects influenced the fate of the Russian Empire, about the giant that has influenced Russia and the world so far.
But what is it in reality? Does the image in the subconscious mind differ from what appears before the eyes of travelers, tourists, photographers, researchers? What is the deepest lake in the world in reality? Let's try to get to know Baikal better.
Where did Baikal go from?
Baikal is a fault in the earth's crust, the deepest lake in the world, located right in the middle of Asia, between Buryatia and the Irkutsk region. The hollow is considered the center of the so-called Baikal rift zone, under which magma heats the crust and spreads to the sides. As a result, Baikal grows by 2 cm per year and in the distant future will become a full sea. Although now there is so much water in it that 3, 200, 000 liters are enough for every person on earth.
It was believed that the formation of the basin began about 25-20 million years ago. But as a result of the Mira on Baikal expedition in 2009, researchers from Ulan-Ude found mud volcanoes at the bottom of the lake, which, according to the hypothesis, formed sand and silt deposits at the bottom. Such a discovery “rejuvenated” the reservoir to 150 thousand years, and the coastline - up to 8 thousand.
Peoples of Baikal and their legends
The results of archaeological research at Irkutsk State University say that the Huns inhabited the shores of Lake Baikal 3 thousand years ago. 2000-1500 years ago, Turkic-speaking peoples separated from them, and a little later - in the 7-8 centuries - and the Mongol-speaking.
Until 12-13 centuries. AD, Baikal was inhabited by the Barguts, which were eventually supplanted by the Buryats, who still live on the lake. Baikal is sacred for the Buryats. There are many legends about its origin.
One of them claims that the deepest lake in the world appeared from the heart of a certain wanderer who burned the earth through. A stream of water gushed from the bowels of the earth and filled the pit.
Secretly covered with valleys and mountains. For example, the Shaman rock on Olkhon. You cannot drive past it on wheels. Only on a horse or sleigh. This is because the owner of the Angara, Ama Sagan-noyon, lives in stone. And the Stone Shaman himself is part of the rock with which Baikal killed his daughter Angara.
Why Baikal?
Perhaps, the Turks who once lived in the Baikal region called the deepest lake of the world by-kul, which means "rich lake". It is likely that from the Mongolian Baigal-Dalai, which means "big lake", and its name went.
Mastering Baikal
With the advent of people on Lake Baikal, its study began. The results of the "scientific activity" of ancient peoples can be seen on Cape Ludar, in caves with petroglyphs from the Neolithic and in Chinese annals of the beginning of our era.
The starting point for studying Baikal by Russians can be considered the middle of the 17th century. In 1643, Kurbat Ivanov discovered the lake. Protopop Avvakum Petrov was the first to describe the majestic giant on paper. In 1667, the deepest lake in the world first hit the map in the “Drawing of the Siberian Land, ” and a little later Nikolai Spafariy described it scientifically.
The formation of the Academy of Sciences gave impetus to the study of the lake. Since 1723, geographic, cartographic, hydrographic expeditions were carried out in the Baikal region, maps were compiled, and hypotheses about the origin of the reservoir were put forward.
Achievements of scientific and technological progress in the 20th century pushed the study of Lake Baikal to a new height. The immersion of deep-sea vehicles, including with researchers on board, bottom drilling, the operation of the neutrino telescope - the deepest lake in Russia provides great potential for scientific research.
Baikal flora and fauna
High ridges and deep valleys, steppe and taiga, unique water are the conditions for the development of the animal world of the reservoir and the Baikal region. The planet’s deepest lake is an excellent example of a closed ecosystem.
It is home to more than 50 species of fish, of which 27 are endemic, that is, not found anywhere else. Omul, golomyanka, pike, salmon, Amur catfish - all that the deepest and cleanest lake is rich in, you will not list.
Forests surrounding the lake are filled with more than 80 and 230 species of animals and birds, respectively. Bear, wild boar, cormorant, Manchurian deer, blue nightingale, eagle, roe deer, musk deer, wolverine, sable and seal, symbol of Baikal wildlife, are an incomplete list of animals found in protected forests and waters of the reservoir. Siberian larches, ferns of 37 species, cedars, unique algae - a unique flora.
Environmental threat
The territory of the Baikal region, divided into 5 reserves and 3 national parks, needs protection. In the year 66 of the 20th century, a pulp and paper mill was commissioned on the south coast. From this moment, environmental crime counts down.
The poisonous effluents of the plant disastrously 10 square meters. km of water on the surface and 70 square meters. km square at the bottom. The MPC of phenols, petroleum products, sulfates is exceeded at times.
In the late 90s, an underground gasoline lake was added to pollution from the pulp and paper mill. 18 thousand tons of gasoline in the area of the glass factory in Ulan-Uda threaten the state of Lake Baikal.
What does Baikal live with?
While the ecology is not entirely bad, the deepest lake in Russia feeds everyone.
Hunters hunt with nerpa - meat, skin, fat. Fishermen sell omul in three forms, as well as its caviar, grayling, burbot. Golomyanka - a fish half full of fat, is actively sold to tourists.
Pine nuts, cedar oil, Siberian herbs, jewelry from local charoite - a unique lilac stone, souvenirs, musical instruments - everything is for sale.
Ice and Baikal
When ice comes - from October to June - the life of the inhabitants changes. Fishermen cautiously go out on ice fishing, the Buryats ride on the Irkutsk side. But the dense movement begins no earlier than February - from the moment the crust is completely strengthened.
Ice carries danger. Hummocks the height of a man are not so scary. They can be circled. More insidious gap cracks. Suddenly opening with a loud bang, widely opening mouths, they absorb everything around them. In such a terrible way, more than one hundred reckless people died.
Over the winter, ice rises to 100-120 cm, sometimes up to 150. Moreover, it is surprisingly transparent, like glass. The ice holds until the beginning of June. Even in May you can walk on it in summer clothes, because the climate of the Baikal region is mild for Siberia, on average -20 in winter, and there are more sunny days than in the southern regions of the country.
