http://gallery.usgs.gov/images/logos/usgs_only.jpg http://gallery.usgs.gov/ en-us OC_Web@usgs.gov (Office of Communications Web Group) http://gallery.usgs.gov/images/USGS.gif http://gallery.usgs.gov/ http://gallery.usgs.gov/photos/02_06_2012_qvm8PCb54J_02_06_2012_0 In 1986, Lake Nyos, in the volcanic region of Cameroon, released a cloud of CO₂ into the atmosphere, killing 1,700 people and 3,500 livestock in nearby towns and villages. Since then, engineers have been artificially removing the gas from the lake through piping. This photo shows the Lake Nyos pipe in operation. The 200-meter-long pipe is suspended from the raft and allows gas-rich water from the lake bottom to vent to the surface, where the CO₂ dissipates into the atmosphere at a controlled rate. The shed on the control raft is about 6 feet high and the fountain is about 120 feet high. There are no pumps involved because the CO₂ drives the fountain, just like a shaken bottle of champagne.

]]> http://gallery.usgs.gov/photos/02_06_2012_qvm8PCb54J_02_06_2012_1 In 1986, Lake Nyos, in the volcanic region of Cameroon, released a cloud of CO₂ into the atmosphere, killing 1,700 people and 3,500 livestock in nearby towns and villages. Since then, engineers have been artificially removing the gas from the lake through piping. The gas burst in 1986 from the 200-meter deep Lake Nyos was so violent that water washed over the 80-meter high promontory in the foreground.

]]> http://gallery.usgs.gov/photos/02_06_2012_qvm8PCb54J_02_06_2012_2 In 1986, Lake Nyos, in the volcanic region of Cameroon, released a cloud of CO₂ into the atmosphere, killing 1,700 people and 3,500 livestock in nearby towns and villages. Since then, engineers have been artificially removing the gas from the lake through piping. A small CO₂ cloud from Lake Monoun killed 37 people in 1984.

]]> http://gallery.usgs.gov/photos/02_06_2012_qvm8PCb54J_02_06_2012_3 In 1986, Lake Nyos, in the volcanic region of Cameroon, released a cloud of CO₂ into the atmosphere, killing 1,700 people and 3,500 livestock in nearby towns and villages. Since then, engineers have been artificially removing the gas from the lake through piping. This photo shows a pipe top and raft at Lake Nyos. The self-driven fountain (inset) can reach a height of 150 feet above the lake surface while dissipating carbon dioxide.

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