Due to the fact that many lakes that now exist in nature are mistakenly called seas, people are often confused in these two terms. In order to be able to accurately attribute a specific body of water to one of the categories, you need to know how the lake differs from the sea from a scientific, geographical and geological point of view. Therefore, now we will consider the main features of both, and then compare them with each other.
Brief definition of the lake
So, a lake is called a formation closed by land on all sides, which is a deep hollow. It is filled with water and is not connected with other reservoirs of the planet (rivers, seas, glaciers and others). Lakes are classified as inland waters, which may have a different origin and characteristics. For example, the largest lake is the Caspian (it is often called the sea), filled with salt waters. The deepest reservoir of the planet is Baikal - a freshwater source located in the zone of clean air.
Tectonic lake
To understand how the lake differs from the sea, it is important to know the history of the origin of this reservoir. We will consider them with a good example and compare. A rupture of a tectonic plate or its deformation is a sure way to the appearance of a depression that can fill with water. It was during such lithospheric changes that the notorious Baikal, as well as the Caspian Sea, formed. The Aral Sea, which today is almost completely dried up, can be attributed to a number of tectonic lakes . A number of similarly formed lakes can be traced on every continent. In Africa, a rupture of tectonic plates spawned reservoirs called Edward, Albert, Malawi and others. In Israel, there is also a giant salt tectonic lake - the Dead Sea.
Highland Lakes
It is easier to understand how the lake differs from the sea, you can, considering this pond in a mountainous area. In such regions, so-called blocking lakes are popular, which are formed by rock formations and large stones. Thus, the path of rivers and other wastewater in the gorge stops, and a closed, deaf lake is formed. You can find similar wonders of the world in every area of the mountain ranges. They are in Canada, and in the States, and in Russia, and their largest number is concentrated in Asia, between numerous elevations. In this topic, we also note that there are forbidden lakes for swimming, which are located in the craters of volcanoes. They have an unearthly beauty, but water contains many gases and acids.
Definition of the sea
To finally understand how the lake differs from the sea, consider the coding of the second. The sea is part of one of the oceans of the planet. It can only be salt water, it is directly connected to the "fatherly" large waters. The sea is separated from the ocean by islands that rise above its level, or by underwater ridges. The sea may have a different current from the ocean, flora and fauna, as well as climate. The seas are divided into internal and external. The first are tightly clamped by the mainland, have access to the ocean only through the strait. This is the Azov, Black, Mediterranean Seas. The second ones are located on the map in the form of bays of one of the oceans surrounded by islands. This is Okhotsk, Caribbean, Andaman.
To summarize
So, the main difference between the lake and the sea is that the first belongs to the waters of the land, the second to the waters of the oceans. It can also be noted that in the seas we meet exclusively salty waters, lakes can be both fresh water sources and mineralized ones. Well, the difference is in quantity. Today, there are 63 seas on the planet, but how many lakes exist is still unknown.