Lake Kivu

Lake Kivu is one of the three exploding lakes of the world. That is, it has high amounts of dissolved carbon dioxide.

Where is Lake Kivu located?

Lake Kivu is located in the border between Rwanda and Congo. The lake empties into the Ruzizi river. It is the eighth largest lake of Africa. There are chances for limnic eruptions to occur in the lake once in thousand years. That is, explosions might occur in the lake once in 1000 years. It is a fresh water lake.

Why is Lake Kivu called an exploding lake?

There are three exploding lakes in the world. They are Lake Kivu, Lake Nyos and Lake Monoun. Both Lake Monoun and Lake Nyos are located in Cameroon. These lakes are called exploding lakes for their volcanic activities. When the lava rushes out from the floors of these lakes, the heat explodes the water. Such lakes are rich in methane and carbon dioxide.

What is the history of exploding lakes?

The first limnic eruption or explosion in the lake occurred in 1984 in Lake Monoun. This explosion killed 37 people. The second deadly explosion occurred in Lake Nyos in 1986. This released 80 million cubic metres of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere killing more than 1,700 people. So far, no explosions have been recorded in Lake Kivu. However, evidences show that limnic eruptions have occurred in the recent years of its history.

How does explosion occur in exploding lakes like Lake Kivu?

For a lake to undergo explosion, it should be highly saturated with carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide might have originated from the volcanic gases emitted from the floors of the lake. Take a soda can to understand the concept. The bubbles in a soda can are formed only after the can is opened. That is, when the pressure is released. In the case of exploding lakes, the bottom is at high pressure. And as days pass by, huge amounts of carbon dioxide are dissolving in the lake. However, the lake stays calm just like the can till an external stimulus disturbs it. In the case of soda can, the external stimulus is opening the can. In 1986 Lake Nyos explosion, the external stimulus was landslides. The external stimulus can be even wind, earthquake, rainstorms.