Bear Lake - Sovata

The Bear Lake is the largest heliothermal salt lake in the world, with an area of 40.235 square meters, the circumference of 1180 meters and a maximum depth exceeding 18 m. It was formed during 1875-1880 as a result of complex geological, meteorological and hydrological events, by the gradual dissolution of the salt mass by the waters of two streams (Auriu and Criş-Toplita), followed by the land breakdown. The resulting gap was filled by the two brooks, over a period of about 5 years, giving birth to the current lake, which resembled a stretched bear skin, and also got its name. The water still dissolves the salt from the salt mass, so the salinity of the Ursu Lake shows a great variation depending on the depth. The sweet water of the Auriu and Topliţa streams, having a specific density less than the salt water, keeps on the surface and acts as a thermal insulator: it allows the penetration of solar radiation that heats the salty water layers from the inside but at the same time prevents the loss of accumulated heat known as heliothermia.

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