A Silent, Deadly Cloud

In 1986, Joseph in North Cameroon experienced a bizarre and terrifying event. A loud bang and an odd smell that filled his house awakened him one night. His daughter, sleeping across the room, emitted an abnormal and unsettling snoring sound. As Joseph attempted to reach her, he suddenly collapsed and lost consciousness before hitting the floor. The next morning, covered in a red, sticky residue with unexplained cuts and wounds, Joseph discovered a distressing scene.

Upon waking again, he found himself unable to speak when trying to communicate with a neighbor. In a state of panic, he rushed back inside to check on his daughter, only to tragically find her peacefully asleep but lifeless. Joseph collapsed once more and later regained consciousness with a bit more clarity, but remained in poor condition. Seeking help, he discovered that his neighbors and the entire street were dead. Confused and desperate for answers, he rode his motorcycle to nearby towns, encountering a chilling scene of lifeless bodies and animals.

Eventually, Joseph reached a larger city and stumbled into a hospital, weak and barely able to communicate. After collapsing again, he woke up in a hospital bed, finally learning the truth about the catastrophic event that had claimed numerous lives. The incident was linked to Lake Nyos, a volcanic crater lake in Cameroon. Formed from a volcanic eruption 400 years ago, the lake accumulated carbon dioxide (CO2) due to geothermal activity. On August 21st, 1986, heavy rainfall triggered a catastrophic event. The rainwater displaced CO2-rich deep water, causing a chain reaction that released millions of tons of CO2. The deadly gas flowed rapidly over the lake's surface and into the valleys, suffocating 1,746 people and thousands of animals within a 25-kilometer radius.

Authorities turned to scientists for solutions, installing degassing tubes in Lake Nyos to prevent further incidents. However, the risk persists, with larger lakes like Lake Kivu holding potential for similar limnic eruptions. Efforts to degas Lake Kivu have been underway since 2010.