Scientists Seriously Worried about Mari El Natural Landmark
05 June 2014
A unique natural landmark, Lake Marine Eye in Mari El, Russia, is vanishing. Within several months it lost 12 m, and the water level is still falling.
It is obvious, that the water dropped significantly. Last year, anyone could swim in the emerald lake easily. This year, one can only shelve to the water using a rope.
"By June 5, the lake shrunk by 17,000 cubic meters. The reduction rate reached 8.8 by then", said Aleksandr Fadeyev, Deputy Dean of the Natural and Water Resources Faculty at Volga State Technology University for Mari El.
Using echo-sounder, the specialists measured maximum depth of the lake. According to preliminary data, the level dropped by 12 m as compared to the last year’s state. And the water continues disappearing.
Picturesque shores turned into dry slopes now. Landing slips became a routine here. The locals say they’ve never seen anything like this before.
"[Gone] with the snow. I don’t know where it went. I’m 62, and it’s the first time when such a thing occurred", said Valentina Loginova.
No one knows exactly when the lake formed. Some suggest that it’s about 20 thousand years old; others say that Marine Eye is no older than one hundred years. One thing is clear: it appeared as a result of a sinkhole.
"It happened before that the level of water dropped by one or two meters maximum. But it always returned later. We’ve never seen anything similar to the current situation", said Aleksey Ivanov, head of ecology movement.
The lake is cone shaped as if it were a volcano crater. It’s only 3-4 meters deep near the shore and it’s 10x deeper in the center! The lake is 30+ meters deep. One can easily imagine how deep it is. Just imagine a standard 10-storey building hidden under the water.
Scientists suggest different versions of the shallowing. Some blame the snow-less winter, others mention underground processes.
"The water, most likely, is draining through side cavities. Last week the divers explored the lake. There are side cavities there through which the current goes. The water flows through them possibly", suggested Aleksandr Fadeyev, Deputy Dean of the Natural and Water Resources Faculty at Volga State Technology University for Mari El.
In other words, a crack appeared somewhere in the rock. The water is draining very fast through it. To prove this version more serious study is required. Right now only the students and teachers are monitoring the lake on a voluntary basis.
It is possible that the lake will restore. The crack may close up allowing Marine Eye filling with water again. But if it doesn’t happen and the water continues dropping as fast as now, next year the lake may disappear forever.
See original material at: http://www.1tv.ru/news/social/262422
Do you know if this particular area is subject to others -strange- phenomenas ?
