Years after volcanic eruption has cooled down, crater lakes are formed in the place of the caldera or volcanic crater. Sometimes and uncommonly, the creation of these lakes is also attributed to a meteorite hit. Ranging from breathtakingly beautiful to extremely dangerous, these crater lakes are considered a source of fresh water and of course, as a major add-on to nature’s beauty.
Here is a list of the ten most beautiful crater lakes in the world.
10. Crater Lake Okama, Mt. Zao–Honshu, Japan
Also known as the five-color pond, the Okama Crater Lake is situated in Mount Zao, which is a complex volcano located in Japan between the Yamagata and Miyagi Prefectures. The Okama Crater Lake was formed in an eruption around the year 1720 and is renowned as the lake that has varied colors with changes in the climatic conditions. The lake has a diameter of 360 meters and a depth of 60 meters, and is considered a major tourist attraction spot in the region.
9. Crater Lake Mount Ruapehu– New Zealand
One of the most active volcanoes in the world, Mount Ruapehu is the largest volcano in New Zealand. The caldera fills water between major volcanic eruptions to form a crater lake. The deep Crater Lake is situated at the centre of the 3 major peaks, Tahurangi, Te Heuheu and Paretetaitonga. On major explosions, the lake water is expelled out along with volcanic debris.
8. Viti Geothermal Crater Lake, Askja–Iceland
Nestled in Iceland’s Askja, a complex of all the calderas existing in the nearby mountainsides, the Viti Geothermal crater lake is a small lake about 150 meters in diameter. The original lake, a large one called Oskjuvtan was formed in an 1875 eruption and fills many of the small craters in the surrounding zone. Viti forms the second deepest lake in Iceland, and is frozen most of the year. The waters are blue, sulphurous and opaque. Although the lake is maintained at a suitable temperature, swimming here is hazardous due to the carbon dioxide accumulation at the surface, that causes swimmers to lose consciousness and drown.
7. Main Crater Lake at Vulcan Point, Taal Volcano–Luzon Philippines
Known to be a picturesque sight and tourist attraction in the Philippines, the Taal Crater Lake, formed by prehistoric eruptions, is situated 50 kilometres from Manila. The Taal volcano has been known for its 33 past eruptions and still continues to be an active volcano in the Philippines. At the centre of the caldera, a single large rock rises up from the surface, which is considered to have once been the floor of the crater. The Main Crater Lake is 1.2 miles wide in diameter and partially covers the Taal volcano crater. From the Taygaytay Bridge, both the volcano and the lake form breathtakingly scenic sights.
6. Heaven Lake, Baekdu Mountain– China, North Korea