For those intrigued by the mysterious, there's a bewitching lake in Northern Ireland that's famed for vanishing entirely within mere hours.

Yes, you read that right. This enigmatic lake in County Antrim is a unique natural marvel that has captivated geologists for years. In fact, scientists are still striving to comprehend its unusual geology. Loughareema, locally known as The Vanishing Lake, possesses transient waters - three streams flow into this lake, but the only exit for all that water is a 'plughole' at the bottom of the lake which frequently gets blocked and unblocked due to the debris and peat in the lake.

This process of blockage and clearance - partly owing to the immense water pressure on the sinkhole - often results in a dramatic fluctuation in the lake's water levels that, unsurprisingly, baffles its visitors. A complex underground drainage system further adds to the lake's mystery, reports Belfast Live. Often, The Vanishing Lake is brimming in the morning, and by lunchtime, it has completely drained, leaving an empty basin in its place.

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According to The Geological Society, Loughareema's underground drainage system transports the lake's water 2.5 kilometres away, to a large spring in the Carey River. However, geologists remain uncertain about the precise workings of this magical natural phenomenon that empties the lake with remarkable efficiency.

Paul Wilson, a hydrogeologist at the British Geological Survey in Belfast, told The Geological Society: "Loughareema is a dynamic landscape and on approach to the lake it's exciting to guess what state it will be in. The water disappears into an underground drainage system, the details of which we currently know very little about."

Located roughly midway between Cushendun and Ballycastle in North Antrim, Northern Ireland, Loughareema takes its name from the Gaelic expression 'loch an rith amach', which loosely means 'the lake that runs out'. The Vanishing Lake's environment is atmospheric and otherworldly, even in brilliant sunshine, contributing to the striking scenery.

It's frequently enveloped in mist, and the desolate blanket bog surrounding it lends the lake a haunting quality. But what else would you expect from such an enchanting natural phenomenon? Today, a narrow road cuts straight through the centre of The Vanishing Lake, elevated sufficiently for vehicles to traverse it, though this wasn't always so. In bygone days, this thoroughfare would become completely flooded when the lake's water levels rose.

Particularly severe flooding occurred in 1898 when a Colonel John Magee McNeile departed to catch the 3pm train from Ballycastle. According to popular ghost stories, it's believed that in 1898, during a period of severe flooding, Colonel John Magee McNeile attempted to cross the lake in a horse-drawn carriage in the dead of night.

Unfortunately, the road was flooded and the horses became frightened, leading to the tragic drowning of the colonel and his carriage driver in the lake. Now, on nights when the lake is brimming, it's said that the spirits of the drowned travellers and horses can be spotted haunting the shores of Loughareema, accompanied by the spectral image of a carriage.

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