The two volcanic crater lakes in western Cameroon, Nyos and Monoun, pose a hazard to residents due to the build up and sudden release of carbon dioxide gas. In 1984 and 1986, violent expulsions of gas claimed nearly 1800 lives, and the level of carbon dioxide in the lakes has been increasing ever since.
Citizens living in the areas around the lakes are again in danger.
The U.S. Agency for International Development has funded a team of scientists who will work with Cameroonian counterparts to de-gas the lake, establish monitoring systems and train local scientists to maintain the program. The scientific team will spend three weeks in Cameroon installing monitoring equipment that will help the team understand the chemical composition of the lake and detect changes that could signify a lethal gas release. Early next year, the team will return to Cameroon to install a system of pipes to slowly reduce the carbon dioxide level in the lake. The scientific team will maintain the equipment and train Cameroonian scientists over the next two years. The U.S. Agency for International Development is the United States government agency that provides development and disaster assistance around the world.