Lake Science: Learn About Exploding Lakes
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Lakes can Explode?
About Limnic Eruptions
What exactly is an exploding lake?
Limnic eruptions occur in deep lakes near dormant volcanoes. After volcanic activity occurs, magma from the eruption can travel below the water's surface, sometimes reaching down to 50 miles below. This magma releases carbon dioxide and other natural gases into the lake; while the natural gases travel upward towards the lake's surface, the carbon dioxide collects in the bottom layer of the lake where the coldest water can be found. The colder the water and the greater the pressure is at this bottom layer, the higher the chances are of a limnic eruption.
Over a long period of time, the lowest levels of the lakes become super-saturated with carbon dioxide. If a disturbance occurs near the lake, such as volcanic activity, landslides, violent storms, or other natural events, the carbon dioxide trapped at the lake bottom could suddenly be released. This discharge of carbon dioxide can be powerful enough to cause the lake to explode.
When a cloud of carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere it can be a fatal incident. The atmosphere naturally has 0.03% carbon dioxide; levels of 10% or greater are extremely poisonous and are ultimately deadly for surrounding wildlife and humans in the proximity of the eruption.
Lake Monoun and Lake Nyos
The only two recorded limnic eruptions history
This natural disaster has only been recorded twice in history at Lakes Monoun and Nyos in Cameroon, Africa's Oku Volcanic Field.Lake Monoun's eruption took place on August 15, 1984. Villagers reported hearing the limnic eruption, which expelled a cloud of gas that traveled out of the lake and down its crater, sinking very close to the ground. Carbon dioxide is is heavier than oxygen; because of this, the cloud remained low and claimed the lives of 37 unsuspecting victims in its path. Vegetation near the crater in the lake were flattened as well; scientists attribute this to a tsunami that likely resulted from the eruption.
The second limnic eruption at Lake Nyos proved to be much more deadly. On August 21, 1986, an eruption occurred very similar to the first. The explosion sent a spray of water hundreds of feet above its surface; a cloud of gas collected and sunk down into a valley surrounding the lake, releasing 80 million cubic meters of gas. The villages of Nyos and Kam were the first to be hit by the cloud; between 1,700 and 1,800 people and many of their livestock were killed almost instantly from carbon dioxide intake.
A Third Threat?
Lake Kivu showing signs of danger
Lake Kivu lies on the Congo-Rwanda border in Africa, and is known to be the third lake with explosion potential. Lake Kivu is 2,000 times larger than Lake Nyos, meaning it is much deeper and can store greater amounts of deadly carbon dioxide and methane. Both gases prove to be an issue for Lake Kivu, as the combination occurs simultaneously from bacteria expelling methane and subsurface magma leaking carbon dioxide.Potential for a natural disaster is obvious, but the consequences of such an occurrence would be far deadlier than Lake Nyos's eruption. Lake Kivu is located near a very densely populated area with roughly two to three million people living nearby. Because scientists are aware of the possibility of an explosion in this populated area, the gas levels and pressure are being monitored.
Can the Problem be Solved?
What scientists are doing to help
Before a solution was implemented in Lake Nyos, there was more gas trapped at the bottom than before (300 million cubic meters). A pipe was placed into Lake Nyos in 2001, acting as a giant straw to suck carbon dioxide from the lake bottom. For every liter of water, there were ten liters of carbon dioxide to be removed. Today, Lake Nyos's carbon dioxide level is at roughly 80% of what it was after the explosion in 1986. While this is a great step, the lake is still extremely dangerous.
Two pipes were entered into Lake Monoun in 2003 and 2006 to reduce carbon dioxide levels. Chances of another eruption in Monoun are low, as the bottom layers of the lake are almost entirely degassed.
Lake Scientist Guestbook
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Tipi
Apr 25, 2011 @ 5:24 pm | delete
- Limnic eruptions are new to me and you certainly did a well written, very informative and interesting article here. How cool that thee may be solutions to lessen the chances of this happening for Lake Kivu or at least reduce the potential destruction.
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MaxReily
Apr 4, 2011 @ 12:32 pm | delete
- Fascinating lens! I remember seeing a documentary on TV about this phenomenon. What a terrible disaster. Thanks for such an interesting and informative lens.
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