Standing beside a large lake, it is easy to assume that its most impressive feature is its surface area. Yet some lakes hold their greatest secrets far below the waterline. Across the world, there are vast freshwater bodies that stretch thousands of square kilometres, but only one descends to a depth unmatched by any other lake on the planet. Hidden within the landscapes of southern Siberia, this immense body of water has attracted geologists, biologists and climate researchers for generations. Its age, unusual wildlife and extraordinary depth have made it one of the most studied freshwater environments anywhere. The answer to the question of Earth's deepest lake lies in a place that has been evolving in relative isolation for millions of years.
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