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A limnic eruption can be predicted if scientists catch the buildup of gas before an eruption occurs.
A limnic eruption is when a pocket of carbon dioxide is blown up from deep inside of a lake. It can choke wildlife, animals, and humans. Scientists believe that the eruption is caused from landslides, volcanic activity, and explosions. It can also cause a tsunami.
There has only been two limnic eruptions in the last 50 years. One was in Lake Nyos in Cameroon, Africa (1986). The other was in Lake Monoun also in Cameroon, Africa (1984). Lake Nyos was once a volcanic crater until it filled with water and Lake Monoun lies in the Oku Volcanic Field.
A limnic eruption nearly kills everything in it's path. If you inhale the CO2 coming from the eruption, you'll want to take another breath until you choke. Victims can have a change in their skin color, have multiple blisters, and can get frostbite.
Lake Nyos.
Lake Monoun.
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Sadly, neither of these events were predicted. At Lake Monoun, scientists just thought it was a weird phenomenon that killed thirty-seven people but, it happened again two years later. When Lake Nyos erupted they did some testing and found an enormous amount of gas in the air surrounding the lake. Scientists then put the killings and gas together and found out about limnic eruptions. Now they monitor lakes that they think might erupt.
The eruption at Lake Monoun killed 37 people, and the eruption at Lake Nyos killed 1,700 people plus 3,500 animals.The CO2, since it is denser than air, stays low to the ground making it like a poisonous fog. It'll eventually fall into the ground or will dissolve but not before killing all the plants, animals, and humans in it's path.
There is only one way to prevent a limnic eruption. They have to pump gas out through pipes. These pipes are expensive, so small communities cannot get the equipment.
Also in Africa, another lake has been identified as a threat. Lake Kivu, one of Africa's largest lakes, has been tested and has been pronounced a threat because it is storing a lot of CO2. If this lake erupts, the damage will be the worst yet! Its 2,000 times larger than Lake Nyos and it has a lot of humans living around the shore. Many would die so, scientists have taken precautions and have started to degas the lake. Time will only tell if the residents are truly safe from a limnic eruption.