Get to Know Lake Toba Better: 7 Facts That’ll Amaze You
Odelia Agatha
Facts of Lake Toba – Lake Toba never ceases to amaze us with its enormous size, the legends surrounding its emergence, and the unworldly vistas that it has to offer. Have you ever thought about this nature’s blessing, t-mates?
If you haven’t, you should add Lake Toba to your wishlist. Behind its glorious vista, Lake Toba has an intriguing history. Want to know more about Lake Toba before your visit? Let’s find out!
7 Facts of Lake Toba, One of Medan’s Best Tourist Spots
You may wonder, what amazing facts does this beauty have? Ho ho, you’ll definitely be amazed when you find out! Well, let’s not make you curious, here are 7 facts about Lake Toba that you should know:
1. The Largest Volcanic Lake in the World
Lake Toba is known as the largest volcanic lake in the world. What’s a volcanic lake, you might wonder? It means that Lake Toba is formed due to volcanic activity. Could you imagine how massive the eruption was back then, t-mates? Sure do! Considering its vast area, that fact makes a lot of sense!
We all know that Lake Toba is enormous, but you will be amazed by its exact size. Lake Toba covers up to 1,130 kilometer square with a depth of roughly 450 meters! Wow, don’t you find this fact fascinating? Nature indeed is magical.
2. Mount Toba has Erupted 3 Times
Before it formed into the enormous Lake Toba we all know today, Toba is a mountain that falls under the category of super-volcano. This is due to the fact that this mountain has such a huge magma chamber that is able to erupt its calder up to tens of thousands of kilometers!
You can imagine how magical Mount Toba once was. Fun fact, Mount Toba has erupted 3 times, with the greatest being its last one. Yup, the last eruption which occurs around 74,000 years ago is what formed Lake Toba. Two prior eruptions occurred 800,000 years and 500,000 years ago.
3. Situated in 3 Tectonic Plates
Indonesia is one of the countries situated on three tectonic plates, namely Eurasia, Indo-Australia, and Pacific plate. This fact makes Indonesia prone to disasters, mostly earthquakes.
Yup, the area in Lake Toba is likewise, disaster-prone. This is because Lake Toba is situated directly on top of the Eurasian plate. These plates are shifting each year, and Eurasia is often the target of the shift. Hence, you no longer wonder why Indonesia is prone to earthquakes!
4. The Massive Eruption Caused Climate Change
We all have known that the most massive eruption of Lake Toba occurs in its last. One intriguing fact, Mount Toba is known as the most powerful eruption ever recorded. In fact, it brought such tremendous changes to the world’s living population.
It is claimed that nearly 60% of the world’s population went extinct due to this powerful eruption. Not only that, parts of the world are also known to have severe climate change. Total darkness was claimed to occur for 6 years, with the earth’s temperature being dropped for thousands of years.
In fact, researchers said that this massive eruption resulted in prolonged volcanic winters in East Africa. Considering its history, no wonder Lake Toba is such a famous spot!
5. Home to “Batak” Fish
Aside from its intriguing history, Lake Toba is also home to what the locals refer to as “Batak Fish”. Scientifically known as Neolissochilus thienemanni, this fish is currently on the brink of extinction. Yup, Batak Fish has such a high economic and social value that it is sought by lots of the locals living around Lake Toba.
6. There are Smaller Lakes Nestled Within Samosir Island
You sure are familiar with Samosir Island, right, t-mates? Yup, this island is nestled amidst the vast Lake Toba. Home to the unique Batak Toba culture, do you know that Samosir has another uniqueness that might leave you intrigued?
Situated on Lake Toba, turns out, Samosir nestles the other two lakes that are often a choice for tourism! These lakes are called Lake Sidihoni and Lake Aek Natonang. If you happen to visit Samosir, do visit these two beauties 😉
7. Encased within 12 Beautiful Waterfalls
Not only you would be left breathless by the beautiful view of Lake Toba and the green rolling hills around, but also by the waterfalls that encased this beautiful lake!
You might be familiar with the famous Sipiso-Piso waterfall. This beautiful waterfall stands up to 120 meters, nestled within the vast green cliffs that add to such an alluring view. However, have you ever heard about the other waterfalls?
Among them are Efrata Waterfall, Sigarattung Waterfall, Situmurun Waterfall, Binanga Bolon Waterfall, Siboruon Waterfall, Janji Waterfall, Sampuran Waterfall, Hadabuan Naisogop Waterfall, Sigura Gura Waterfall, Tonduhan Waterfall, and Simanimbo Waterfall. Turns out, there are lots, don’t you think? 🙂
Plan a Vacation to Medan, Never Forget to Visit Lake Toba
Behind its astonishing beauty, turns out, there are many interesting facts that may leave you intrigued about Lake Toba. Given its glorious history, no wonder this site is favored by tourists from all over the globe!
Come and see the beauty along with its glorious facts to the lands of Sumatra. Book your flight to Medan only at tiket.com and enjoy the vast landscape of Lake Toba!
Lastly, don’t forget to always follow the health protocols anywhere you travel. May you have a safe holiday!
