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Lake Elton

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Hypersaline lake in Volgograd Oblast
Lake Elton
Эльтон
The shores of Lake Elton
Lake Elton Эльтон is located in RussiaLake Elton ЭльтонLake Elton
ЭльтонLocation within RussiaShow map of RussiaLake Elton Эльтон is located in Volgograd OblastLake Elton ЭльтонLake Elton
ЭльтонLake Elton
Эльтон (Volgograd Oblast)Show map of Volgograd OblastLake Elton Эльтон is located in Continental AsiaLake Elton ЭльтонLake Elton
ЭльтонLake Elton
Эльтон (Continental Asia)Show map of Continental Asia
LocationVolgograd Oblast
Coordinates49°8′0″N 46°40′0″E / 49.13333°N 46.66667°E / 49.13333; 46.66667
TypeHypersaline lake
Basin countriesRussia
Surface area150 km (58 sq mi)
Max. depth0.6 m (2 ft 0 in)
Surface elevation−18 m (−59 ft)
Lake Elton, as seen from space

Lake Elton (Russian: Эльтон; Kazakh: Эльтон, romanized: Elton) is a salt lake in Volgograd Oblast, Russia, near the border with Kazakhstan. It has an area of 152 km and is about 0.1 m deep (in spring 0.7 to 0.8 m). Its surface is 18 m below sea level. The lake's name originates from the Mongol language: “Altyn-Nor” (Golden Bottom). Long ago local nomads used the lake's mineral-rich mud for skin and respiratory treatments. For centuries, Lake Elton was a favorite location for Russian rulers and nobles. One can still see remnants of Empress Yekaterina II's “bath” there.

It is the largest mineral lake in Europe and one of the most mineralized in the world. The lake is filled with a saturated salt solution. Mineralization is 200–500 g/L. Salt, extracted from the lake since the early 18th century, is used for the production of magnesium chloride. The water contains Dunaliella salina algae that give a reddish shade to the lake. At the bottom of the lake are salt deposits (mainly NaCl, KCl) and beneath them, a layer of mineral hydrogen sulfide mud.

Transportation

A bus ride can be taken from Volgograd (6 hours mostly because of long stops in rural towns) and also by train from Saratov and Astrakhan (also 6 hours) can lead travelers to the area.

History

Salt was excavated from Elton beginning in the early eighteenth century. Before 1865 the government was the excavator; from 1865 to 1882 the lake was heavily used by private businesses.

Image of the surface of the lake showing salt deposits

A spa resort has been located near the lake since 1910 and a sanatorium since 1945. Sulfide silt mud and brine from Elton are claimed to have anti-inflammatory, detoxifying, analgesic, relaxing and revitalizing properties.

Elton Ultra Trail Run

The Elton Ultra Trail is one of Russia's toughest races. There are two distances of 38 km and 160 km. It was first organised in 2014.

Sunset over Lake Elton
Salty sunset on the lake Elton

References

  1. Эльтон (озеро), Great Soviet Encyclopedia
  2. ^ Egorov, Boris (2018-10-11). "Why did Russia's tsars love Lake Elton?". www.rbth.com. Retrieved 2021-07-09.
  3. "Lake Elton | lake, Russia". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 2021-07-09.
  4. "Lake Elton". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 2013-10-18.
  5. "Elton sanatorium".

External links


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