Tech & Biz

Russia claims world-record dive

by Sanjay Jha | July 29, 2008 at 02:15 am

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Russians keenly want to show their technological advancement to the world and they have done something very unique this time. If Russians are to be believed then they have managed to plunge deepest at the bottom of the earth and have made discovery of a huge body of fresh water. They started digging the earth with two 18-tonne mini-submarines, especially designed to operate in seawater - but have shed hundreds of kilos to make them buoyant enough in less dense fresh water.

Russian scientists say they have broken the world record for the deepest dive in a body of fresh water, by plumbing the depths of Lake Baikal in Siberia.
Russian news reports said two manned mini-submarines successfully plunged 1,680m (5,512ft) to the lake's bed.
The mission is part of a two-year plan aimed at conserving the ecosystem of Lake Baikal, which contains about a fifth of the world's fresh water.
The area was declared a Unesco world heritage site in 1996.
Before the expedition set off, leader Artur Chilingarov described it as a complex one.

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temkkka

at 12:16 on July 29th, 2008

Siberian beach. %)

temkkka has contributed a photo to this story.

bloemenjansje

at 03:40 on July 30th, 2008

Looking onto the mainland from Olkhon Island, the biggest in lake Baikal. This was in the beginning of May when the ice was getting thin. Two dogs are looking along.

bloemenjansje has contributed a photo to this story.