7 of the Most Dangerous Lakes in the World - Page 5 of 9

Lake Nyos, Cameroon

In 1986, Lake Nyos, located in Cameroon, suddenly emitted a large cloud of carbon dioxide which suffocated 1,746 people and 3,500 livestock in nearby towns and villages. This tragedy was recorded as the first large-scale asphyxiation caused by a natural event. Also one of the three lakes prone to explosion, there is a pocket of magma sitting beneath the lake which leaks carbon dioxide into the water, transforming it into carbonic acid. Even though efforts have been made to prevent future disasters, there’s fear that the weakened walls surrounding the lake could collapse soon –allowing the escape of large amounts of carbon dioxide into downstream villages.