The Problem of Methane in Lake Kivo in Cameroon

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The violent potential of these lakes became clear in august 19 86, when lake neos erupted with a blast that some locals mistook for the testing of a nuclear weapon. A French company has just secured a five million dollar contract to dgas c o two from the gulf of cobuno at the north end of lake kivo. Scientists say there is considerable disagreement on basics such as the source of the gases and even where the lake kivo has erupted before.

Lake Kivu, nestled between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, is a geological anomaly that holds 300 cubic kilometres of dissolved carbon dioxide and 60 cubic kilometres of methane.

The lake has the potential to explosively release these gases, which could fill the surrounding valley, potentially killing millions of people.

Researchers are trying to establish the likelihood of such an event happening, and the best way to safely siphon the gases from the lake.

This is an audio version of our feature: How dangerous is Africa’s explosive Lake Kivu?

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