The Fascinating and Lethal Beauty of Lake Kivu

Lake Kivu is a strikingly beautiful body of water that lies on the border of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is the largest lake in Rwanda and the sixth largest lake in Africa. However, this lake has a dark secret. It is one of the only lakes in the world that is both saturated with carbon dioxide and methane. This deadly combination has turned Lake Kivu into a ticking time bomb. When the lake turns over every few hundred years, a large amount of carbon dioxide and methane that has accumulated at the bottom is released into the air, potentially causing a catastrophic explosion. Despite this danger, the lake is an important source of drinking water and fishing for the surrounding communities. I found the geology and science of Lake Kivu fascinating.