Turkish Divers Searching For Lake Monster Uncover A 3,000-Year-Old Mystery
Explorers have long said that Lake Van, the largest lake in Turkey is home to an elusive treasure in its depths, but no one has yet to find it. So when researchers from Van Yüzüncü Yıl University decided to explore the uncharted waters of the ancient lake, they knew full-well that they might come away empty-handed. But that wasn't their only fear that afternoon: an unseen danger lurking beneath the surface threatened to do much more than just hinder their research.
Lake Van
Located in the provinces of Van and Bitlis, Lake Van is easily the largest body of water in all of Turkey. But sheer size isn't the only thing that makes this lake such a natural wonder: it's also hiding a dark secret beneath its depths.
Unfrozen
Despite being situated over 5,000 feet above sea level, Lake Van never freezes. The lake's high salinity keeps the water flowing year-round, though this phenomenon has come at the price of Lake Van's biodiversity.
Special Fish
Because of these high salt levels, only one type of fish – the Pearl Mullet – is known to live in the lake's brackish waters. However, according to local legend, these mackerel-sized fish aren't the only creatures lurking beneath the waves of Lake Van.
Rumors of Monsters
For over a century, locals have reported sightings of a monster that calls Lake Van its home. Most of these claims have proven unfounded over the years, though in 1997, Ünal Kozak managed to capture the creature on film.
