How lake formed?

Answer 1

Lakes are inland bodies of water that occupy depressions in the surface of the land. These depressions are called basins.

Lakes result from the flow of water into low areas. Lake water comes largely from rainfall and melting snow. The water enters a lake basin through brooks, streams, rivers, underground springs, and ground water.

The lake basins themselves are formed in several ways. Many lakes are the result of faulting or warping in the earth's crust. Lake Superior is an example of such a lake.

Sometimes lakes are created by volcanoes. A lava flow may block the outlet of a valley and form a lake basin. Sometimes the crater of an extinct volcano fills with water. Crater Lake (in South Oregon) is an example of this.

Many lakes occupy basins formed by glacial erosion. All the Great Lakes (except Superior) are examples of lakes that were formed by glaciers.

Along coastal areas, waves and shore currents sometimes close inlets and temporarily create lakes out of bays and estuaries.

In places where limestone underlies the land, ground water may dissolve and remove enough limestone to produce great sinkholes that form lake basins. Florida contains many lakes of this type.

Lakes can also be artificially made. When a dam is built across a river valley, it will block the flow of water and form a lake.