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Context

An in-depth look at rising tensions and conflict near Lake Kivu involving Rwanda, Congo, and the M23 rebels.

About Lake Kivu

• It is one of the great lakes of East Africa. It is in the Albertine Rift, the western branch of the East African Rift.
• It is located between Rwanda to the east and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to the west.
• It is Rwanda’s largest lake and the sixth largest in Africa.
• It is lying at 1,460 metres above sea level,
• It is a fresh water lake.
• It covers an area of 1,040 square miles (2,700 sq.km).
• Most of its waters are lying in the DRC; the rest are situated in Rwanda.
• Its irregular shores form a number of inlets and peninsulas, and plenty of waterfalls.
• Lake Kivu empties into the Rusizi River, which flows southwards into Lake Tanganyika.
• Idjwi Island, the tenth largest inland island on the planet, is located on Kivu Lake.
• Lake Kivu is the largest local source of fish in Rwanda.
• There are chances for limnic eruptions to occur in the lake once in thousand years i.e. explosions might occur in the lake once in 1000 years.
• There are three exploding lakes in the world - Lake Kivu, Lake Nyos and Lake Monoun.
• Both Lake Monoun and Lake Nyos are located in Cameroon.
• These lakes are called exploding lakes for their volcanic activities.
• When the lava rushes out from the floors of these lakes, the heat explodes the water.
• Such lakes are rich in methane and carbon dioxide.

Sources:

NY TIMES