Karakul, Volcanic crater lake in Gorno-Badakhshan, Tajikistan
Karakul is a volcanic crater lake in the Pamir Mountains spanning approximately 25 kilometers across, with a peninsula extending into its southern shore and an island on its northern side.
The lake formed from an asteroid impact millions of years ago that created a crater roughly 52 kilometers across. The water body has persisted in this isolated mountain landscape ever since.
The name comes from the Kyrgyz language meaning black lake, a word that took hold in this high-altitude mountain region where herding communities have long gathered by its waters.
A settlement on the eastern shore provides lodging and serves as a base for visitors exploring the area. The lake sits at about 3,900 meters (12,800 feet) elevation, so travelers should allow time to acclimatize.
The water is slightly brackish because there is no natural outlet, meaning minerals accumulate as water evaporates over time. This closed system makes the lake chemically distinct from typical freshwater bodies.
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