A record-breaking thermal lake was discovered by Czech explorers deep beneath southern Albania, as confirmed by the Neuron Foundation. The find, now named Lake Neuron, has been measured to hold enough water to fill three and a half Olympic swimming pools, making it the largest known subterranean thermal lake on Earth. The discovery not only resets records, but it also reveals new insights into geothermal activity across the Hellenic Arc, a major tectonic zone in southeastern Europe.
The Hidden Heart of Leskovik: A Lake Beneath the Earth
Tucked below the mountainous town of Leskovik, near Albania’s border with Greece, Lake Neuron sat undiscovered until a group of Czech speleologists noticed unusual plumes of steam rising from a rocky hillside. What seemed like a minor geothermal vent quickly revealed something much more significant. Using advanced lidar scanners and single-rope technique (SRT) to descend over 330 feet into a limestone cavern, the team uncovered a massive thermal body of water stretching 454 feet in length and 138 feet in width, with a volume nearing 294,350 cubic feet.
“In order for Czech science to present this phenomenal discovery, it was necessary to conduct scientific research and precise measurements,” said expedition leader Marek Audy. He had initially explored the cave years prior with limited tools but returned in 2024 backed by new support and technology from the Neuron Foundation. Their efforts transformed a hunch into a landmark geological discovery.