What Happened to Lake Nyos ?
The Lake Nyos Limnic Eruption was located in the Northwest Region of Cameroon, Africa. Lake Nyos is an active crater lake that formed by a volcanic eruption about 5 centuries ago. Lake Nyos is roughly one square mile in surface area, with a maximum depth of 690 feet. The volcano that formed Lake Nyos was extinct, but the magna carter that fed it was still active deep below the surface of the Earth. It was still releasing carbon dioxide gas into the lake. Most lakes release carbon dioxide using the wind, or the cooler seasons. Since Lake Nyos is located in a warmer region, and rarely receives any currents of wind the lake had no way to release this accumulating carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide was still collecting in the bottom of the still water. More than five gallons of carbon dioxide had been dissolved in every gallon of water.
On August 21, 1986 the carbon dioxide suddenly erupted from Lake Nyos. The water carrying the carbon dioxide went up to 300 feet in the air. About 1.2 cubic kilometers of carbon dioxide was released roughly in 20 seconds. The gas suffocated over 1,746 people, and over 3,000 cattle surrounding Lake Nyos for up to 25 kilometers away. After the eruption a red substance covered the lake due to the iron from the bottom.
On August 21, 1986 the carbon dioxide suddenly erupted from Lake Nyos. The water carrying the carbon dioxide went up to 300 feet in the air. About 1.2 cubic kilometers of carbon dioxide was released roughly in 20 seconds. The gas suffocated over 1,746 people, and over 3,000 cattle surrounding Lake Nyos for up to 25 kilometers away. After the eruption a red substance covered the lake due to the iron from the bottom.