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May 4, 2007
Methlane lakes death traps
Lake Kivu is what is known as a "turnover lake".
Geological evidence from around the lake shows that every 1,000 years or so there have been cataclysmic events which have wiped out all animal life in a huge radius surrounding the lake.
What happens is that gradually so much methane and carbon dioxide is dissolved in the water that it begins to acquire buoyancy.
Instead of this being released gradually there is a sudden huge explosion, where the lake effectively turns over.
The gas laden water from the bottom of the lake surges to the surface, releasing billions of cubic metres of gas; this settle like a huge toxic blanket over the surrounding area.
It is heavier than air so all the oxygen is forced out and all life is suffocated.
This is what happened at Lake Nyos in Cameroon in 1986, when 1,700 people were killed.
Lake Kivu is hundreds of times bigger than Lake Nyos and it is estimated that more than two million people would die.
BBC NEWS | Africa | Rwanda's underwater powerhouse
Posted by thdyck on May 4, 2007
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