A team of Czech researchers has discovered the largest underground thermal lake in the world in southern Albania, in the Vromoner region. The expedition, named Neuron Atmos, was financially supported by the Neuron Foundation, which enabled the acquisition of advanced technology to conduct precise measurements and validate the magnitude of this globally significant natural phenomenon.

The origins of this discovery date back to 2021, when a group of Czech researchers identified a complex network of underground cavities with active thermal springs. According to the experts, a dense plume of steam emerging from a limestone formation caught their attention and led them to a deep chasm over 100 meters deep, which they later named Atmos.

At the bottom of this underground chamber, the scientists found a large thermal tributary and a vast lake, whose existence had to be meticulously investigated before being recognized as an unprecedented geological discovery.

Subterranean thermal lake Albania
The members of the expedition pose in front of the subterranean lake. Credit: Neuron Foundation

After years of exploration and detailed hydrogeological studies, the team confirmed the exceptional dimensions of this body of water, which has been named Neuron Lake in honor of the foundation that made the expedition possible.

With a length of 138.3 meters, a width of 42 meters, and a perimeter of 345 meters, this lake holds an impressive volume of 8,335 cubic meters of mineralized thermal water. To put the magnitude of this discovery into perspective, it is estimated that the lake chamber is three times larger than the main hall of the prestigious National Theatre in Prague.

Monika Řasa Vondráková, director and co-founder of the Neuron Foundation, expressed her pride in supporting this expedition, emphasizing the importance of investing in field research to generate new scientific knowledge. According to her statements, discoveries like Neuron Lake highlight the significance of scientists’ work on the ground and demonstrate that financial support can be crucial in achieving internationally significant findings.

Subterranean thermal lake Albania
Another view of the largest subterranean lake in the world, in Albania. Credit: Neuron Foundation

During the expedition, researchers used cutting-edge technologies to document and analyze the underground environment with the highest possible precision. Among the equipment used, a mobile lidar scanner stood out, allowing the creation of a detailed three-dimensional map of the cave system where Neuron Lake is located. In addition to the Atmos cave, the team identified and mapped other interconnected cavities, such as Sulfur, Breška, and Kobyla, all of which were previously discovered in 2021.

The Neuron Foundation allocated 988,000 Czech crowns for this expedition, adding to a long history of supporting scientific research. In total, the organization has funded eleven field expeditions, significantly contributing to the advancement of Czech science and the dissemination of knowledge worldwide.

The Neuron Foundation is dedicated to fostering excellence in the Czech scientific field, awarding outstanding researchers with the prestigious Neuron Awards, promoting the development of new talent through scholarships at renowned universities, and funding field research projects. Among its most notable achievements are significant archaeological discoveries, such as the finding of one of the oldest Maya cities, as well as the identification of an unknown species of uakari monkey.

SOURCES

Neuron Foundation

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