Five Amazing Sunken Forests

Published January 24, 2013
Updated January 22, 2018

Some of the world's finest forests cannot be found above ground -- a fascinating look at the phenomena of sunken forests.

Submerged and sunken forests are a haunting natural occurrence of ages-old trees whose remains are usually buried for thousands of years before being uncovered by changes in sea level, erosion, or climate change.

Here are five of the most amazing examples of sunken forests in the world:

Sunken Forests

Source: ARA Tours

Sunken Forests: Lake Kaindy

Lake Kaindy

Source: 500 PX

Lake Kaindy is a lake in Kazakhstan located 2000 meters above sea level and measuring in at an impressive 400 meters long. It was created after an earthquake in 1911, when a large landslide blocked a gorge and formed a natural dam where rainwater filled the valley.

And thanks to the lake’s frigid waters, the submerged forest in its midst is replete with great pines that thrive to this very day.

Sunken Forests Lake Kaindy

English Russia

Lake Kaindy In Kazakhstan

Source: Yaplakal

Sunken Forest In Lake Kaindy

Lake Bezid

Situated in Romania’s Transylvania region, Lake Bezid has a haunting history. Rather than just being home to a sunken forest, the lake also houses an entire sunken village.

A local church and various dead trees remain on the surface, while the remnants of houses have formed a watery graveyard.

Sunken Forests Lake Bezid

Amazing Sunken Forests Lake Bezid

Source: Flickr

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All That's Interesting
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Established in 2010, All That's Interesting brings together a dedicated staff of digital publishing veterans and subject-level experts in history, true crime, and science. From the lesser-known byways of human history to the uncharted corners of the world, we seek out stories that bring our past, present, and future to life. Privately-owned since its founding, All That's Interesting maintains a commitment to unbiased reporting while taking great care in fact-checking and research to ensure that we meet the highest standards of accuracy.
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Savannah Cox
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Savannah Cox holds a Master's in International Affairs from The New School as well as a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley, and now serves as an Assistant Professor at the University of Sheffield. Her work as a writer has also appeared on DNAinfo.