The Geography and Geology of Lake Nyos
CLEMENT TJOMB/AFP via Getty Images
CLEMENT TJOMB/AFP via Getty Images
Lake Nyos is situated in the Oku Volcanic Field, part of the larger Cameroon Volcanic Line. Its position on a volcanic plain explains the high levels of carbon dioxide dissolved in its depths.
The lake itself is around 208 meters (682 feet) deep and covers an area of 1.58 square kilometers (390 acres). The region is geologically active, with both tectonic and volcanic influences shaping the landscape over millions of years.