The Invisible Threat: Carbon Dioxide
Peter Turnley/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images
Peter Turnley/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images
Carbon dioxide is a colorless and odorless gas that can be lethal in high concentrations. At Lake Nyos, this gas had been trapped under pressure at the lake’s bottom, a result of volcanic activity and the lake’s depth.
When released, it formed a dense cloud that hugged the ground, suffocating those nearby. Understanding this threat was crucial in developing safety measures for other lakes.