This unbelievable lake has been home to an underwater forest for over a century.
How did it get there? This area didn’t use to be a lake at all, but a thriving spruce forest in the mountains of Kazahkstan. A tremendous earthquake in 1911 triggered a landslide that blocked the gorge, creating a natural dam. Eventually, rainwater filled the valley behind the dam, encapsulating the spruce trees and creating this insanely beautiful but strange lake. Scroll down to watch the video below…
Spruce trees that existed at the time of the earthquake still remain standing despite the influx of water, though they’re no longer living.
The branches have since fallen off the segments of trees above water, but under the surface, the water is so cold (averaging 40 degrees Fahrenheit) that the foliage remains in place even a century later.
Limestone deposits give the lake a beautiful turquoise hue, making this dreamlike locale even more alluring.
The lake is approximately 100 feet deep and almost 1,500 feet across, and is a popular tourist destination for boaters and divers alike.
Want to go? This ghostly body of water can be found in the Tian Shan Mountains close to Kazakhstan’s largest city, Almaty. We think it’s worth the visit.
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