Russian polar explorers and scientists have mapped the bottom of famous Antarctic subglacial lake Vostok. Information for mapping was obtained by means of complex seismic and radar investigations.
      
      Lake Vostok is the largest subglacial Antarctic lake, known to date. Polar explorers have studied the lake since 1900s. Lake’s coastline is 1030 kilometers long, and its water surface area is 15.5 thousand square kilometers.
      
      For mapping the lake’s bottom Russian researchers have developed unique techniques. Seismic sounding required exploding 5-6 lines of detonating cord – they generated powerful waves, which haven’t been blanketed by 100-meter thick layer of snow.
      
      Lake Vostok appears to be a 310x100 km trough full of water with a hilly bottom. Mean depth is 800 m, maximum depth reaches 1050 m. The trough is completely isolated, despite that it is surrounded by 37 smaller lakes, and lies below sea level. Further research will reveal more interesting facts.
      
      Source: Science News
Author: Anna Kizilova