Exploding Lakes of Death

Exploding lakes are also known as a limnic eruption. This type of natural disaster, which is rare, occurs when dissolved carbon dioxide (CO2) erupts from deep lake water, causing the suffocation of wildlife, farm animals and humans. These eruptions can be triggered by landslides, volcanic activity, high temperatures, rainstorms or explosions. The eruptions then, in turn, can cause tsunamis.

Lake Nyos after a limnic eruption

Lake Monoun in Cameroon, exploded on August 15, 1984. The release of huge amounts of carbon dioxide killed 37 people and gave them a strange type of skin damage resulting in discolouration. Lake Nyos, also, in Cameroon, however, suffocated 1,700 people and 3,500 livestock, after a landslide.

Cow killed by the limnic eruption at Lake Nyos

For such lake explosions to occur, the lake must be fairly saturated with gas, like carbon dioxide. This may be due to the lake being a volcanic crater emitting volcanic gas, or due to decomposition of organic material.


Books To Read


Skeptoid 3: Pirates, Pyramids, and Papyrus eBook, by Brian Dunning - debunking popular myths and legends with scientific method.