The Lake Nyos Explosion of 1986 (Episode 19)

We're off to the African country of Cameroon this week to talk about the Lake Nyos tragedy, in which a small, rural crater lake exploded on a calm August evening. The eruption released a cloud of toxic gas that swept down into the valley below, killing every aerobic organism within a 15 kilometer radius - including at least 1750 people living in the villages of Nyos and Subum. We discuss the potential causes of the eruption; the incredible rescue and cleanup management; and Cameroon's efforts to de-saturate the lake, prevent another event, and move 20,000 displaced villagers back home. We'll also touch on the 2 other lakes in West Africa with the potential to explode, and Greg takes a deep dive into his secondhand textbook collection to give us a rundown on the difference between meromictic and monomictic lakes, as well as the particular conditions necessary for a limnic eruption.  

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Sources for this episode include:

“Eco-Autopsy of the Lake Nyos Disaster in Cameroon” by A. G. Aghaindum, 2017

“The African lake with explosive power”, by J. Wenz, Knowable Magazine, 2020

“Defusing Africa’s Killer Lakes” by K. Krajick, Smithsonian Magazine, 2003

“Lake Nyos disaster, Cameroon, 1986: the medical effects of large scale emission of carbon dioxide” by P. Baxter, M. Kapila, D. Mfonfu, BMJ, 1989

“Lake Nyos disaster survivors to return home after 30 years”, Al Jazeera English (video), 2016

“The Killer Lake Powering Rwanda”, BBC click (video)

"When Lake Michigan Burps", by Laura Otto, University of Wisconsin / Milwaukee School of Freshwater Sciences blog, 2017