One of Africa’s Great lakes is Lake Kivu. Located on the border between Rwanda and Democratic Republic of the Congo, in the western branch of the Great Rift Valley of East Africa, the Albertine Rift. Into the Ruzizi River, Lake Kivu flows, which in turn flows into Lake Tanganyika. Lake Kivu is one of the three exploding lakes in the world which means it has high levels of carbon dioxide which is dissolved.
Geography of the lake
Lake Kivu is a freshwater lake and is about 90km long and 50km wide. Its irregular shape makes it difficult to measure its accurate surface. The total area of ??the lake is estimated at about 2,700 km2, making it the eighth largest lake in Africa. The surface of the lake is 1,460 meters above sea level. This lake can be hit by a limnic eruption every 1000 years. With a maximum depth of 475 m (1,558 ft) and an average depth of 220 m, the lake is the 18th deepest and 9th deepest in the world. Approximately 1,370 square kilometers, or 58% of the lake’s water, lies within the boundaries of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The bottom of the lake lies on a slowly separated rift zone, causing volcanic activity in the area.
About exploding lakes
There world has three exploding lakes. These are Lake Nyos, Lake Kivu and Lake Monoun. Lake Nyos and Lake Monoun are both located in the country of Cameroon. These lakes are known as explosive lakes because of their volcanic activity. When lava is poured from the bottom of these lakes, the heat causes the water to explode. Such lakes are rich in carbon dioxide and methane.
The lake’s first limnic eruption, occurred at Monoun Lake in the year 1984. The explosion killed 37 people. In the year 1986, the second fatal explosion occurred in Lake Nyos. As a result, 80 million cubic meters of carbon dioxide were released into the atmosphere, killing 1,700 people and more. On Lake Kivu, no explosions have yet been recorded. However, data show that occurrence of limnic eruptions happened in the last few years of history.
About explosions occurring in exploding lakes
In order for the lake to explode, it must be highly saturated with carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide can come from volcanic gas emitted from the bottom of the lake. A can of soda can be used to understand the concept. Beverage foam does not form until the can is opened. That is, when the pressure is released. When the lake explodes, the ground becomes high pressure. And that day, a large amount of carbon dioxide dissolves in the lake. However, the lake remains as calm as a can until external stimuli disturb the lake. In the case of beverage cans, the cans are opened by external stimuli. Landslides were an external attraction when Lake Nyos exploded in the year 1986. External stimuli can be winds, earthquakes, and even showers.
Fisheries in Lake Livu
The fish fauna of Lake Kivu is relatively poor, with 28 species listed, including 4 exotic species which are Barbells, Lukuwa Minnow, East African redfin barbells, Barbus altianalis, barbells with red spots, amphibian catfish, clarias catfish, Nile tilromisnilapia and 15 unique Haplochromis cichlids. From the lake, there are probably 20 other unexplained cichlids known. The introduced species are three cichlids, blue tip tilapia, long fin tilapia, herring, red chest tilapia and Lake Tanganyika sardines.
