Lava‑Dammed Lakes in Africa

Africa hosts roughly 18 lava‑dammed lakes formed when volcanic flows block river valleys. Notable examples:

• Lake Kivu (DRC/Rwanda)
• Lake Nyos (Cameroon)
• Lake Monoun (Cameroon)
• Lake Chamo (Ethiopia)
• Lake Shala (Ethiopia)
• Lake Abijatta (Ethiopia)
• Lake Haromaya (Kenya)
• Lake Chala (Kenya/Tanzania)
• Lake Maninjau (Indonesia – included in some regional counts)

These lakes often exhibit geothermal activity and unique chemical profiles.