• News
  • Lake Facts
  • About

Lake Scientist

Sonar Uncovers Giant Craters In Lake Neuchatel

0
  • by Daniel Kelly
  • — May 26, 2015

With the help of multi-beam sonar, Anna Reusch, a doctoral student at Switzerland’s ETH Geological Institute, has made an unexpected discovery in Lake Neuchatel. While out making a routine pass to study the lake’s sediment, the sonar revealed massive underwater craters, according to a release from the institute.

Reusch, who was collecting data to learn more about the history of earthquakes on Switzerland’s western plateau, was understandably surprised by the development. For her, the discovery means re-evaluating her entire doctoral dissertation.

“I’ll remember this day for a long time – I never expected anything like this,” said Reusch, in the release. “It just goes to show that even in the 21st century, there are still thrilling and exciting discoveries to be made in Switzerland!”

sonar-lake-neuchatel

Craters in Lake Neuchatel were found using this sonar device. (Credit: Jasper Moernaut, ETH Zurich)

Reusch and others located four large craters in the lake’s deep waters, with the largest reaching 160 meters in diameter. Scientists nicknamed that one “Crazy Crater,” partly because of its size but also because of its near-perfect circular shape.

Though they tried to capture core samples of the craters’ beds, muddy sediment was too fluid for collection. Instead, researchers analyzed isotopes, water temperatures and suspended sediments to find that the largest crater, as well as the others, are fed by water flowing up from below. And with a temperature difference of almost 3 degrees Celsius, concluding that the waters were distinct was obvious.

“In other words, these craters are in fact springs,” said Reusch, in the release. And she believes that the craters are likely linked to karst systems of the Jura Mountains nearby.

lake-neuchatel-craters-switzerland

Scientists navigated an unmanned submarine to the craters’ locations. (Credit: Anna Reusch, ETH Zurich)

Dating the sediment cores helped to reveal that it’s been more than a thousand years since Crazy Crater let loose any new sediment onto its levee. Scientists are unsure what triggers the eruptions and more long-term monitoring is needed to understand them, they say.

Sonar data were only collected on the deep parts of Lake Neuchatel. The shallow depths have yet to be mapped, so it is unknown if there are more craters to find.

Featured Image: Lake Neuchatel. (Credit: Wikipedia User Martouf via Creative Commons 3.0)

Share

You may also like...

  • New technologies promote discoveries in lake research
  • crater lake Less Mixing For Crater Lake
  • okama crater lake color Okama Crater Lake Known to Change Color
  • glacial lakes / lake bled Friday Five: Glacial Lakes Around the World

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Time limit is exhausted. Please reload CAPTCHA.

BUY AT FONDRIEST.COM
New NexSens XB200 Data Buoy
  • Recent Posts

    • Three Decades of Research at Acton LakeMay 21, 2025
    • USCG Mackinaw in Lake Superior breaks a path in the ice for freighters travelling from Soo Locks. March 21, 2014. Understanding of Ice cover dynamics in lakes like this are an essential part of winter transport.Research Brief: Variable Trends in Ice Cover Dynamics on Minnesota LakesMay 19, 2025
    • Source Water Monitoring in Albany, New York: Tracing Water Quality throughout TributariesMay 19, 2025
    • A small mountain pond and fells surrounding Bárrás. August 2006. The region is dominated by arctic lakes and ponds much like this.Research Brief: Measuring Oxygen and Temperature Changes in Arctic Lakes Impacted by Climate ChangeMay 12, 2025
    • Spring 2025 Environmental Monitor Available NowMay 7, 2025
  • Popular Tags

    Great Lakes research summary research pollution research brief Lake Erie invasive species Algae Product Spotlight climate change lake research lake science runoff nutrient-loading dissolved oxygen international Lake Michigan temperature Ohio eutrophication EPA toxic waters ice USGS phosphorus

©2025 Fondriest Environmental Inc. | Questions? Call 888.426.2151 or email customercare@fondriest.com