Dangerous reservoirs. The most dangerous reservoirs in the world (10 photos)
The world is 70% water, we drink it, bathe in it, grow food with it, and simply exist thanks to it. But some bodies of water are very dangerous. I present to your attention a list of lakes and rivers that can cause serious harm or even kill a person.
The Rio Tinto is one of the rivers with the highest levels of acidity, with a pH of 2 at best, which is roughly equal to the level of acidity in the human gastrointestinal tract. This is enough to kill any fish that dare to swim in this river. In all likelihood, the same thing threatens a person. Water is dangerous because of a special bacteria that lives in it. Similar substances have been found on Mars, leading scientists to wonder if the key to the mystery of the Red Planet lies in this river. So far, this is just a pipe dream, but no doubt you should be wary of Rio Tinto as much as an angry grizzly, because both the river and the animal are those that are pleasant to watch, but it is better not to touch.
Boiling Lake, Dominican Republic
Whoever came up with the name of this place did not have to think long: Boiling Lake fully justifies its name. The lake was first discovered by two Englishmen in 1870. Five years later, it was possible to measure the temperature in the lake, which ranged from 82 to 91.5 degrees Celsius. That alone is enough to get burned, but that's the temperature at the edges of the lake. In the center it is much higher - so much so that it is even impossible to measure it without the measurer being boiled alive. 
Lake Kivu, on the border of Congo and Rwanda
300 meters of Lake Kivu is a ticking time bomb. About 250 cubic kilometers carbon dioxide and 65 cubic kilometers of methane are hidden in the depths of this lake. It can flood all nearby settlements, claiming thousands of lives. So far, the gas is harmless, but one volcanic eruption is enough (and given that there are a lot of them, this may well happen) for the gas to rise to the surface, destroying everything around. 
Chitarum River, Java, Indonesia
The Chitarum is one of the most polluted rivers on earth. Due to the 500 factories located on the banks of the river, the lack of garbage collection systems and a modern plumbing system, the river is filled with garbage so much that the water itself is almost invisible under it. This river can take many lives, but only through our fault. And this is the most important water artery in that area! The locals use the water for drinking, bathing and even cooking! But, unfortunately, they have no other choice. They made their own bed and now they have to sleep on it. 
Rivers of Johannesburg, South Africa
There is little pleasure in being infected with E. coli, and now imagine that you are swimming in water that is teeming with them. This is the reality for many of Johannesburg's rivers South Africa, where the level of E. coli bacteria exceeds the legal limit, in some places by 240 times. This problem will not go away, as representatives of the local government actively deny it. Although when health experts say that drinking from this river means putting your life in mortal danger, then you should probably listen to them ... 
Blackwater River, Virginia, USA
In too in large numbers water is not good either. Ask any Virginian living near the Blawater River who has seen more flooding than anyone in the last few years. After 60 years of quiet existence, the Blackwater River has flooded and flooded nearby cities about six times in the past 10 years. Luckily, this hasn't caused any deaths yet, but it's only a matter of time if this continues. And, unfortunately, no one can say why Blackwater is spilling so often. But whatever the reason locals determined to find out so that they could finally stop worrying about the fact that everything they lived for would be swept away again by the raging current of the river. 
Tualatin River, Oregon, USA
The Tualatin River, in Oregon, is not the most the best place where you can go swimming with your pet: every year animals die in the river due to poisonous blue-green algae. The algae, which is actually nothing more than a deadly bacterium, grows rapidly, filling the water with a deceptively beautiful turquoise color. Those unfortunates who plunge into this river will, at best, face weakness and diarrhea, and at worst, paralysis and even death. 
Lake Karachay, Russia
Like a supermodel with a bomb hidden under her dress, Lake Karachay in Russia is beautiful but deadly. This is the most radioactive body of water in the world. It has been the main disposal site for nuclear waste since the 1990s. The lake is so toxic that you can die without even touching the water. Just standing on the shore of the lake for about an hour you will receive radiation of 600 roentgens. By comparison, most people die from 500 roentgen radiation. Every effort is now being made to solve this problem and recent times tests showed either low levels of radiation or no radiation. Maybe in 500 years people will even be able to swim in this lake. May be.... 
Belle Forsh River, on the border of South Dakota and Wyoming, USA
The Belle Forche is not a boiling, poisonous or radioactive river, but nevertheless it represents a huge danger. She has already claimed several lives. In 2010, a father, along with his daughter and a friend, drowned when rapid rapids threw them out of their boat. A few years later, another case was reported that almost led to the death of a person, again due to the rushing current and dangerous rapids. Although this river rarely attracts the attention of the press, it can still be considered quite dangerous. 
Potomac River, on the border of Maryland and West Virginia, USA
Although this river is known to most people only because Washington, DC is located on it, but the legendary river has another feature - it often claims the lives of people. From Great Falls to the Chain Bridge, the river forms a series of rapids and waterfalls, which carry away victims in a raging stream for 1.5 km. Approximately 6 people a year died in the waters of the Potomac River and even more people risk their lives just playing on the banks of the river. It is so dangerous that the local authorities launched a campaign to warn the public, using the most intelligible wording: "If you go into this river, you will die." 
On our planet there are many insanely beautiful, but at the same time scary places that arose under the influence of nature and man. Paradoxically, the more dangerous the attraction, the more attractive it is for travelers. And why do people tend to be drawn to everything forbidden, dangerous and mysterious? Let's look at the four most terrible reservoirs that are fraught with mortal danger in their abyss.
Sicilian Lake of Death
The view of the reservoir delights with beauty and incredible awareness of danger. The name of this lake fully justifies itself, because not a single living organism can survive either in the waters or nearby. Life stops at the moment when the waters of death embrace any living being. The explanation for this is the high concentration of sulfuric acid.
"Swamp of Ghosts"
No less dangerous and truly frightening is the Manchak swamp, located near New Orleans. By ancient legend this swamp is cursed and a cruel queen who possessed voodoo magic was imprisoned here. According to the scripture, she put a curse on this swamp. Of the living creatures, only crocodiles live here. Incredibly, bodies still rise to the surface year after year. dead people who died more than a decade ago. In these places, there is a belief that werewolves live in the swamp, who howl at night. It is impossible to say with certainty what is the worst thing in this swamp, ghosts, alligators or a curse, but few locals dare to spend the night here. This place is visited only by tourists with a strong nervous system and lovers of the occult sciences.
Karachay
This is the most deadly body of water in the world. The explosion of the warehouse of the Mayak plant in 1957 led to the contamination of a large territory of the Urals and Siberia of Russia. Until now, Lake Karachay contains in its waters such a volume of radiation that is twenty times higher than the radiation background after the explosion of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. Just five minutes and any living being will receive a lethal dose of radiation. Is not tourist place and it's impossible to be there.
Lake Boiling
Another of the reservoirs fraught with mortal danger is Lake Boiling, the location of which is national park Morne Trois - Python, Dominican Republic. In the waters of this lake, the temperature reaches 92 degrees Celsius. Anyone who bathes will certainly be boiled alive.
Some creations of nature look terrible, especially if they arise from human indiscretion. Chilling horror emanates from such water "cemeteries", which you can feel even without being near such a place.
When we hear the word "lake", a picture arises in our imagination - a wonderful place to relax, where you can swim and fish. However, this is not always the case. Some lakes inspire fear and horror. And there are reasons for this.
Lake Empty (Russia)
Its location is the area of Kuznetsk Alatau located in Western Siberia. Lake Pustoye is a fresh and environmentally friendly reservoir of continental origin, because it is completely free of chemicals. Many scientists have repeatedly conducted studies of water from the lake, which have never confirmed the presence of any toxic components in it.
The lake has clean water, which is suitable for drinking, and resembles champagne, as it is dominated by perfectly safe bubbles of natural gases. However, the researchers could not determine the reason why there is no fish in the lake.
In the vicinity of Lake Empty has never been environmental disasters and emergency technical incidents polluting the reservoir. According to the chemical composition, its water does not differ from the nearest reservoirs of the reserve, which are distinguished by an abundance of fish resources. Moreover, the reservoir feeds several fresh, clean reservoirs in the vicinity; the fact that there are fish in them will give a special mystery to what is happening in these dreams.
There were several attempts to launch unpretentious fish species of pike, perch and crucian carp into the reservoir. Each of them ended in failure, the fish died, the aquatic plants rotted. And today there are no grass and birds on the banks of the reservoir, there are no fish or fry in the water, the lake guards its mysteries.
Why are there no fish in the lake?
Samples from the Kuznetsk reservoir were studied by chemists from the USA, Great Britain and Germany. However, none of them could put forward a sensible version explaining the absence of fish in the reservoir. Scientists are not yet able to answer the questions of the inhabitants, what is happening with the Kuznetsk reservoir.
However, scientists repeat attempts to explain the unusual phenomenon of the Empty Lake with enviable frequency. Stay on the coast unusual lake there are many who wish, tourists come here and stay for the night. Some of them dream of touching the mystery of nature and unraveling it.
Lake of Death (Italy)
Our world is amazing and beautiful, its nature can be admired and enjoyed endlessly. But besides this, there are places on our Earth that sometimes lead us into bewilderment. Among such places is the Lake of Death on the island of Sicily. This lake can be attributed to the number of phenomena and unique natural phenomena. The name itself suggests that this lake is deadly for all living things. Any living organism that gets into this lake will inevitably die.
This lake is the most dangerous on our planet. The lake is absolutely lifeless and there are no living organisms in it. The shores of the lake are deserted and lifeless, nothing grows here. Everything is connected with the fact that any living creature that enters the aquatic environment immediately dies. If a person decides to swim in this lake, then in just a few minutes he will dissolve in the lake.
When information about this place appeared in the scientific world, it was immediately sent there scientific expedition to study this phenomenon. The lake revealed its secrets with great difficulty. The conducted water analyzes showed that the water environment of the lake contains a large amount of concentrated sulfuric acid. Scientists were not immediately able to figure out where sulfuric acid comes from in the lake. Scientists have put forward several hypotheses about this.
The first hypothesis was that there are rocks at the bottom of the lake, which, when eroded by water, are enriched with acid. But further study of the lake showed that there are two springs at the bottom of the lake, which emit concentrated water into the aquatic environment of the lake. sulfuric acid. This explains why any organic matter dissolves in the lake.
Dead Lake (Kazakhstan)
In Kazakhstan, there is an anomalous lake that attracts the attention of many people. It is located in the Taldykurgan region, the village of Gerasimovka. Its dimensions are not large, only 100x60 meters. They call this reservoir Dead. The fact is that nothing is found in the lake, neither algae nor fish. The water is unusually cold.
The low temperature of the water remains even when the strongest sun is outside. People are constantly drowning there. Scuba divers, for some unknown reason, begin to choke after three minutes of diving. Locals do not advise anyone to go there, and they themselves bypass it anomalous place.
Blue Lake (Kabardino-Balkaria, Russia)
Blue karst abyss in Kabardino-Balkaria. Not a single river or stream flows into this lake, although it loses up to 70 million liters of water every day, but its volume and depth do not change at all. The blue color of the lake is due to the high content of hydrogen sulfide in the water. There are no fish here at all.
The creepiness of this lake is given by the fact that no one has been able to figure out its depth. The fact is that the bottom consists of an extensive system of caves. Researchers have not yet been able to figure out what the lowest point of this karst lake is. It is believed that under blue lake the largest underwater cave system in the world.
Boiling Lake (Dominican Republic)
The name speaks for itself. Located in Dominica, the beautiful Caribbean, this lake is actually the second largest natural hot spring on earth. The water temperature in the boiling lake reaches 90 degrees Celsius and there are hardly any people who want to check the temperature of the source on their own skin. Just look at the photos and it becomes clear that the water is almost boiling here. The temperature cannot be controlled because it is the result of a crack in the bottom of the lake through which red-hot lava erupts.
Lake Powell (USA)
Despite its common name (Horse Shoe), near the town of Mammoth Lakes, Lake Powell is a fearsome killer. The city of Mammoth Lakes was built on top active volcano and it's not the best location. However, for many years the lake was considered safe. But about 20 years ago, the trees around the Horseshoe began to dry up and die abruptly.
After ruling out all possible diseases, the scientists determined that the trees were suffocating from excessive levels of carbon dioxide slowly seeping through the ground from underground chambers of cooling magma. In 2006, three hikers took refuge in a cave near a lake and suffocated from carbon dioxide.
Lake Karachay (Russia)
Nestled in Russia's beautiful Ural Mountains, this deep blue lake is one of the most dangerous bodies of water in the world. During a secret government project, for many years, starting in 1951, the lake was used as a dumping ground for radioactive waste.
This place is so toxic that a 5-minute visit can make a person nauseous, and a longer visit of over an hour is guaranteed to be fatal. During a drought in 1961, the wind carried toxic dust that killed 500,000 people - a tragedy comparable to the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima. Definitely one of the most polluted places on earth.
Lake Kivu (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
This lake is located on the border between Democratic Republic Congo and Rwanda, with large layers of carbon dioxide at the base of the volcanic rock, as well as 55 billion cubic meters of methane at the bottom. This explosive combination makes Lake Kivu the deadliest of the three exploding lakes in the world. Any earthquake or volcanic activity can pose a lethal threat to the 2 million people living in this region. They can die from both methane explosions and carbon dioxide asphyxiation.
Lake Michigan (Canada)
Of the five Great Lakes on the border between Canada and the United States, Lake Michigan is the deadliest. The warm, inviting lake is a popular holiday destination for many tourists, despite its dangerous undercurrents that claim at least a few lives each year.
The shape of Lake Michigan makes it particularly prone to dangerous currents that come on spontaneously and abruptly. The lake becomes more dangerous in autumn, in October and November, when there are sudden and significant changes in water and air temperature. Wave heights can reach several meters.
Mono Lake (USA)
One of the most developed ecosystems in the world, Mono Lake is located in the California county of the same name. This ancient salt lake has no fish, but trillions of bacteria and small algae thrive in its unique waters. Up until 1941 it's amazing beautiful lake was healthy and strong. But Los Angeles intervened, which was just beginning its giant growth spurt. The city drained the tributaries of the lake, which began to dry up.
This scandalous destruction natural resources continued for nearly 50 years and when it was shut down in 1990, Mono Lake had already lost half its volume and its salinity had doubled. Mono has become a toxic alkaline lake overflowing with carbonates, chlorides and sulfates. Los Angeles has decided to correct its mistake, but the restoration project will take decades.
Lake Manun (Cameroon)
Located in the Oku Volcanic Field in Cameroon, Lake Monoun appears to be a completely normal body of water. But its appearance is deceiving, as it is one of the three explosive lakes on earth. In 1984, Monun exploded without warning, releasing a cloud of carbon dioxide and killing 37 people. Twelve of the dead were riding in a truck and stopped to look at the aftermath of the explosion. Just at that moment, lethal gas did its job.
Lake Nyos (Cameroon)
In 1986, Lake Nyos, located just 100 kilometers from Lake Monoun, exploded after a magma eruption and released carbon dioxide, converting the water into carbonic acid. As a result of a powerful landslide, the lake abruptly emitted a giant cloud of carbon dioxide, killing thousands of people and animals in local cities and villages. The tragedy was the first known major asphyxiation caused by natural phenomenon. The lake continues to pose a threat because its natural wall is fragile and even the slightest earthquake can destroy it.
Natron (Tanzania)
Lake Natron in Tanzania not only kills its inhabitants, but also mummifies their bodies. On the shores of the lake there are mummified flamingos, small birds, bats. The most terrible thing is that the victims freeze in their natural poses with their heads up. It was like they froze for a moment and stayed that way forever. The water in the lake is bright red because of the microorganisms living in it, closer to the shore it is already orange, and in some places it is of a normal color.
Evaporation of the lake scares away large predators, and the absence of natural enemies attracts a huge number of birds and small animals. They live on the banks of the Natron, multiply, and after death they are mummified. A large amount of hydrogen contained in water and increased alkalinity contribute to the release of soda, salt and lime. They do not allow the remains of the inhabitants of the lake to decompose.
The world is 70% water, we drink it, bathe in it, grow food with it, and simply exist thanks to it. But some bodies of water are very dangerous. We present to your attention a list of lakes and rivers that can cause serious harm or even kill a person.
Rio Tinto- one of the rivers with the highest level of acidity, pH at best 2, which is approximately equal to the level of acidity in the human gastrointestinal tract. This is enough to kill any fish that dare to swim in this river. In all likelihood, the same thing threatens a person. Water is dangerous because of a special bacteria that lives in it. Similar substances have been found on Mars, leading scientists to wonder if the key to the mystery of the Red Planet lies in this river. So far, this is just a pipe dream, but no doubt you should be wary of Rio Tinto as much as an angry grizzly, because both the river and the animal are those that are pleasant to watch, but it is better not to touch.
Boiling Lake, Dominican Republic
Whoever came up with the name of this place did not have to think long: Boiling Lake fully justifies its name. The lake was first discovered by two Englishmen in 1870. Five years later, it was possible to measure the temperature in the lake, which ranged from 82 to 91.5 degrees Celsius. That alone is enough to get burned, but that's the temperature at the edges of the lake. In the center it is much higher - so much so that it is even impossible to measure it without the measurer being boiled alive.
Lake Kivu, on the border of Congo and Rwanda
300 meters of Lake Kivu is a ticking time bomb. About 250 cubic kilometers of carbon dioxide and 65 cubic kilometers of methane are hidden in the bowels of this lake. It can flood all nearby settlements, claiming thousands of lives. So far, the gas is harmless, but one volcanic eruption is enough (and given that there are a lot of them, this may well happen) for the gas to rise to the surface, destroying everything around.
Chitarum River, Java, Indonesia
The Chitarum is one of the most polluted rivers on earth. Due to the 500 factories located on the banks of the river, the lack of garbage collection systems and a modern plumbing system, the river is filled with garbage so much that the water itself is almost invisible under it. This river can take many lives, but only through our fault. And this is the most important water artery in that area! The locals use the water for drinking, bathing and even cooking! But, unfortunately, they have no other choice. They made their own bed and now they have to sleep on it.
rivers of johannesburg, south africa
There is little pleasure in being infected with E. coli, and now imagine that you are swimming in water that is teeming with them. This is the reality for many of the rivers of Johannesburg in South Africa, where levels of E. coli bacteria exceed the legal limit by up to 240 times in some places. This problem will not go away, as representatives of the local government actively deny it. Although when health experts say that drinking from this river means putting your life in mortal danger, then you should probably listen to them ...
Blackwater River, Virginia, USA
Too much water isn't good either. Ask any Virginian living near the Blawater River who has seen more flooding than anyone in the last few years. After 60 years of quiet existence, the Blackwater River has flooded and flooded nearby cities about six times in the past 10 years. Luckily, this hasn't caused any deaths yet, but it's only a matter of time if this continues. And, unfortunately, no one can say why Blackwater is spilling so often. But whatever the cause, the locals are determined to figure it out so they can finally stop worrying that everything they lived for will be swept away by the river's raging current again.
Tualatin River, Oregon, USA
The Tualatin River in Oregon is not the best place to go swimming with your pet: every year animals die in the river due to poisonous blue-green algae. The algae, which is actually nothing more than a deadly bacterium, grows rapidly, filling the water with a deceptively beautiful turquoise color. Those unfortunates who plunge into this river will, at best, face weakness and diarrhea, and at worst, paralysis and even death.
Lake Karachay, Russia
Like a supermodel with a bomb hidden under her dress, Lake Karachay in Russia is beautiful but deadly. This is the most radioactive body of water in the world. It has been the main disposal site for nuclear waste since the 1990s. The lake is so toxic that you can die without even touching the water. Just standing on the shore of the lake for about an hour you will receive radiation of 600 roentgens. By comparison, most people die from 500 roentgen radiation. Everything possible is now being done to solve this problem, and recently tests have shown either low levels of radiation or none. Maybe in 500 years people will even be able to swim in this lake. May be....
Belle Forsh River, on the border of South Dakota and Wyoming, USA
The Belle Forche is not a boiling, poisonous or radioactive river, but nevertheless it represents a huge danger. She has already claimed several lives. In 2010, a father, along with his daughter and a friend, drowned when rapid rapids threw them out of their boat. A few years later, another case was reported that almost led to the death of a person, again due to the rushing current and dangerous rapids. Although this river rarely attracts the attention of the press, it can still be considered quite dangerous.
Potomac River, on the border of Maryland and West Virginia, USA
Although this river is known to most people only because Washington, DC is located on it, but the legendary river has another feature - it often claims the lives of people. From Great Falls to the Chain Bridge, the river forms a series of rapids and waterfalls, which carry away victims in a raging stream for 1.5 km. Approximately 6 people a year died in the waters of the Potomac River and even more people risk their lives just playing on the banks of the river. It is so dangerous that the local authorities launched a campaign to warn the public, using the most intelligible wording: "If you go into this river, you will die."
Lakes can be special places that make you reminisce about family holidays or unforgettable summer camps. But not all lakes have the charm of coastal trees. Some lakes become turbulent when inclement weather approaches, and those fed by glacial springs can be dangerously cold (though crystal clear).
And there are also lakes that are deadly. Some of them are so insidious that even the presence on the shore can be fatal. Acid water or volcanic fumes pose a serious threat, and there are examples of lakes with high concentrations of gases that literally explode.
Here are a few lakes to stay away from:
Lake Kawah Ijen, Indonesia
Ijen Volcano is an Indonesian volcano with the largest acidic lake in the world. The water in the reservoirs of the crater is a bright turquoise color. However, swimming here is not worth it. Not only does the acidity in this lake outshine the lemon juice, the water is more dangerous than battery acid. The lake influences local life in the region. Even far downstream, farmers face abnormal pH levels in irrigation water. Closer to the volcano, miners are working on collecting sulfur. The presence of toxic gases makes this a very dangerous job, especially since most of the workers do not wear masks but only cover their faces with cloth.
The sulfur inside Ijen ignites when it comes into contact with air. It creates unique phenomenon: Gases burn with a strong blue flame. This is a dangerous, but at the same time exciting night light show.
Laguna Caliente, Costa Rica
Poas Volcano, in central Costa Rica, has two crater lakes. Lake Botos is located in an inactive crater that has not erupted in thousands of years. This is a pleasant place with clear water, surrounded by thick fog. Another crater lake, Laguna Caliente, differs significantly from it. This is one of the most acidic lakes in the world, where the acid content is higher than in a car battery. Obviously you don't want to swim in the water, but the lake can create acid rain and acid fog that can affect people even if they are not near the shoreline.
Often it is impossible to approach this lake. Poas is still one of the most active volcanoes in Costa Rica. Eruptions and activity within a volcano can cause dangerous emissions of gases and ash. For security reasons, the authorities in national park surrounding the volcano, often establish a 3-km perimeter around the crater.
Lake Nyos, Cameroon
One of the deadliest lake disasters in recent history occurred in northern Cameroon in 1986. The catastrophe was caused by a rare phenomenon known as the "limnological catastrophe". This phenomenon occurs when dissolved CO2 in deep lakes suddenly erupts from the water due to a change in pressure. This eruption creates a large cloud of carbon dioxide that can suffocate animals and people because the carbon displaces all the oxygen. An eruption in 1986 in Lake Nyos killed more than 1,700 people. It is reported that the gas cloud spread at a speed of more than 100 km / h, to a distance of about 25 km from the lake shore.
Another lake in Cameroon, Lake Monoun, experienced a similar but less deadly eruption in 1984. As a result of this disaster, 37 people died. Both lakes are currently a degassing site that aims to prevent future problems. Lake Monoun is reportedly safe now because all the gas has been removed, but the larger Nyos lakes continue to extract it.
Boiling Lake, Dominica
Boiling Lake is a boiling body of water on the island of Dominica, in the Caribbean. The lake is a fumarole, a hole in the earth's crust that is flooded with sediment and fed by two small streams. Underwater lava and gases from a nearby volcano heat the water. Around coastlines scientists measured the temperature from 82 to 92 degrees. However, they were unable to obtain readings from the middle of the lake, where the water is actively boiling.
The lake is popular place for tourists who have to walk for several hours to get to the place. This is the second largest boiling lake on Earth. (The largest is Frying Pan Lake in New Zealand.) A cloud of steam typically hovers over the lake, and depths thought to be in excess of 60 meters can fluctuate with rainfall levels.
Lake Kivu, Congo and Rwanda
Lake Kivu is located on the border of the Democratic Republic of the Congo with Rwanda. Its area is estimated at more than 2700 km², and maximum depth exceeds 480 m. Like the lakes Monun and Nyos in Cameroon, the Kivus have emitted carbon dioxide, but this dangerous phenomenon has not been observed recently. Scientists have found evidence suggesting that such emissions occurred about once every millennium. Due to the amount of CO2 and methane in the lake, as well as the densely populated coast, the "limnological catastrophe" will take the lives of many more people than the two disasters in Cameroon took.
Energy companies extract methane from the lake for use as fuel. This helped meet Rwanda's rapidly evolving energy needs, as well as reduce the risk of a future eruption. However, there are questions as to whether mining would disrupt the current pressure balance that keeps deadly gases deep underwater. In the Congo, the need for energy makes Lake Kivu gases an attractive source of energy, despite the risks involved.
Quilotoa, Ecuador
Lake Quilotoa was formed in the 13th century due to a massive volcanic eruption. This body of water is known for its picturesque turquoise color. It is difficult to get to because the lake is located in a difficult area, at an altitude of 3914 m. Most people visit the lake as part of a multi-day hike in the mountainous surroundings.
The biggest danger to tourists is usually altitude sickness. Some of the trails around the lake are prone to erosion, so falling from heights is also a problem. Due to the high acidity, there are no living organisms in the lake. Some believe that swimming is dangerous due to the acidity, while others say that the colder temperatures at this altitude will hurt swimmers before the acid can do any damage. Tourists can take a motorboat cruise on the lake, rent a canoe or kayak.
Mount Rainier Crater, Washington, USA
The lake in the crater at the top of Mount Rainier is always covered in snow and ice. The lake can only be reached through a cave. These ice caves can prove deadly as they contain dangerous gases such as carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide. Scientists who study and attempt to map the cave system must have equipment to track the release of gases in order to avoid potentially dangerous situations.
Sulfuric acid, which is in the crater lake, literally eats volcanic rocks. Why do people visit such an inhospitable place? Mount Rainier is popular with climbers, who often take refuge in the caves when the weather worsens at the summit. In addition to volcanologists and explorers, the caves also attract scientists who want to learn about the living organisms that live in this harsh environment.
Lake Karachay, Russia
Lake Karachay, located in Chelyabinsk region, in Russia, is the most polluted place on earth. It was used for the disposal of radioactive waste from the Mayak Production Association. Radiation levels were so high that in the early 1990s, anyone who stood by the lake's shore could live no more than 60 minutes.
In an attempt to control the fallout, the authorities began filling the lake with cement. This project was started in the 1986s and appears to have been somewhat successful. In nearby settlements there has been a decrease in radiation-related diseases and birth defects, and the water in downstream rivers has become much cleaner. However, a project to test local groundwater is still in its early stages, and parts of the lake that are heavily cemented remain highly polluted.
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