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WORLD’S WORST 38-39
Impact …
The sudden release of CO2 gas
suffocated 1700–1800 people,
mostly villagers. People living
as far as twenty-five kilometres
from the lake died. Some four
thousand people escaped but
suffered from lesions, and
respiratory and other problems.
Thousands of cattle and wild
animals were killed.
Other notable eruptions
The first limnic eruption took Lake Nyos is a deep lake situated on the high flank of an active
place in Lake Monoun in
Cameroon on 15 August, 1984, volcano. A pocket magma lies beneath the lake and releases CO2
into the water.
two years before the Lake Nyos disaster. At 11.30 p.m., a toxic gas cloud travelled to the
low-lying surrounding area. Thirty-seven people were killed suddenly and mysteriously.
The phenomenon was not well understood then, and it was thought to be the
result of some volcanic activity. Some even thought it was due to the secret
testing of chemical weapons!
Gases, such as CO2
present in the magma
dissolve in water.
Magma rises
through
fractured
rocks.
Nyos, which disperses the carbon dioxide gas.
Impact …
The sudden release of CO2 gas
suffocated 1700–1800 people,
mostly villagers. People living
as far as twenty-five kilometres
from the lake died. Some four
thousand people escaped but
suffered from lesions, and
respiratory and other problems.
Thousands of cattle and wild
animals were killed.
Other notable eruptions
The first limnic eruption took Lake Nyos is a deep lake situated on the high flank of an active
place in Lake Monoun in
Cameroon on 15 August, 1984, volcano. A pocket magma lies beneath the lake and releases CO2
into the water.
two years before the Lake Nyos disaster. At 11.30 p.m., a toxic gas cloud travelled to the
low-lying surrounding area. Thirty-seven people were killed suddenly and mysteriously.
The phenomenon was not well understood then, and it was thought to be the
result of some volcanic activity. Some even thought it was due to the secret
testing of chemical weapons!
Gases, such as CO2
present in the magma
dissolve in water.
Magma rises
through
fractured
rocks.
Nyos, which disperses the carbon dioxide gas.
