That is one big lake! Contains more water than all five Great Lakes combined. And it’s taken several months for me to circumnavigate Lake Baikal in Google Earth, zooming in really close and enjoying Panoramio snapshots along the way. I think I’ll have to go around again:)
It’s such a beautiful part of the world. Impressive fault-block mountain ranges capped with snow, intricate coastal geomorphology, some interesting railroad architecture, and some of the most exquisite sunsets I’ve seen posted to Google Earth.
We worry much about the casualties of global warming, but rarely consider the possibility that some places may benefit from it. If the polar ice caps melt completely, then sea level will rise by around 100 meters. This will bring the Arctic coastline much farther south, and fragment the land mass of Eurasia, which should moderate the climate of Siberia, especially in winter – and probably allow for more precipitation. Lake Baikal could be quite a wonderful place to be.
I mention Google Earth therapy often. I can’t recommend it enough for someone who spends most of the time in a crowded city. A 3G iPad would be nice – but you’ll be surprised how enjoyable it is on the little iPhone:)
