The Purple Light: World’s Largest Underground Thermal Lake Found in Albania

Tuesday, February 11, 2025

World’s Largest Underground Thermal Lake Found in Albania

Rare Discovery: World’s Largest Underground Thermal Lake Found in Albania

By Nen Si

Posted on 02/08/2025 by EraOfLight

A team of Czech scientists has discovered the world’s largest underground thermal lake in southern Albania, naming it “Neuron Lake”, according to the foundation that funded the scientific expedition.

For several years, Czech researchers have been exploring underground structures in mountain valleys along the Albania-Greece border. In 2021, during their research in Leskovik, in the Vromoneri Valley on the Albanian side of the border, they uncovered a vast cave system containing numerous thermal springs that release high columns of steam.

While tracing these thermal sources, the team identified a 100-meter-deep abyss, which they named “Atmos”.

At the bottom of this abyss, scientists confirmed the discovery of the largest known thermal lake to date. The lake measures 138 meters in length, 42 meters in width, and has a perimeter of 345 meters, containing approximately 8,335 cubic meters of hot water.

The mapping of the cave system and documentation of the lake was carried out using advanced technology, funded by Neuron Foundation, a Czech organization supporting scientific research.

“During our initial exploration, we created a basic map using our equipment and immediately realized that we had discovered something extraordinary. Thanks to the Neuron Foundation, we were able to use a mobile LIDAR scanner, which allowed us to accurately measure the entire cave and lake area. We are also working with hydrologists to analyze the underwater portion of the lake using sonar technology,” said Richard Bouda, a photographer and expedition participant.

For this study, the team utilized the latest scanning technology, including the GeoSlam system, a 3D scanning method that produces precise models of cave formations.

According to Radio Prague International, the discovery of this lake has significant scientific value, particularly due to the unusual way in which the cave was formed. The lake’s mineral water is saturated with hydrogen sulfide, which oxidizes upon contact with air, producing sulfuric acid. This acid gradually dissolves the limestone, converting it into soft gypsum, and continuously forming new underground spaces.

The discovery is expected to have a major impact on hydrological and geological studies in the region. Bouda emphasized that further research will continue to better understand the connections between surface and underground water sources:

“We believe this discovery will help protect the area and provide a deeper understanding of hydrological flows. Until now, no one has precisely known how these underground waters are connected to the surface,” Bouda stated.

With this extraordinary discovery, Albania is now on the map of international researchers as a country with great potential for geological and scientific exploration.

Nen Si