Elgygytgyn Lake

Infobox_lake
lake_name = Elgygytgyn Lake
image_lake = Elgygytgyn.jpg
caption_lake =
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location = Chukchi Peninsula, north-east Siberia
coords = coord|67|30|N|172|00|E|type:waterbody_region:RU|display=inline,title
type = impact crater lake, oligotrophic
inflow =
outflow = Enmyvaam
catchment = 293 km²
basin_countries = Russia
length = 12 km
width = 12 km
area = 110 km²
depth =
max-depth =
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Lake El'gygytgyn (Russian Эльгыгытгын) is located on the Chukchi Peninsula in north-east Siberia. It is approximately 15 km in diameter and has a maximum depth of 175 m. The lake is centered within a meteorite impact crater with a rim diameter of 18 km that formed 3.6 million years ago (Pliocene).

The lake is of particular interest to scientists because it has never been covered by glaciers. This has allowed the uninterrupted build-up of 400 m of sediment at the bottom of the lake, recording information on prehistoric climate change.

Fauna

The conditions in the El'gygytgyn lake are extremely severe for fish life. Therefore there are only three species permanently inhabiting the lake's harsh aquatic environment. These are three types of char: Salvelinus boganidae, S. elgyticus (Small-mouth char) and Salvethymus svetovidovi (long-finned char). The two latter species are endemic to the El'gygytgyn lake. The golets (голец) has been introduced recently.

External links

* [http://www.uaf.edu/water/faculty/nolan/lakee/ Dr. Matt Nolan at the University of Alaska Fairbanks]
* [http://www.physorg.com/news82898319.html Polar Expedition to Siberian Lake will Yield Details of Past Climate] PhysOrg.com.
* [http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0014-3820(200103)55%3A3%3C573%3AHPOAC(%3E2.0.CO%3B2-V Fisheries; char species in the lake]
* [http://www.iucnredlist.org/search/details.php/19878/all Species survival]
* [http://home.zf.jcu.cz/~kuchtr00/reserse.htm Arctic char introduction]