Lake Oku is a crater lake on the Bamenda Plateau in the Northwest Region of Cameroon. It is located at 2,227 metres (7,306 ft) on Mount Oku, and is completely surrounded by cloud forest.[1]

Lake Oku
Location of Lake Oku in Cameroon.
Location of Lake Oku in Cameroon.
Lake Oku
Location of Lake Oku in Cameroon.
Location of Lake Oku in Cameroon.
Lake Oku
Coordinates6°11′34″N 10°27′14″E / 6.19278°N 10.45389°E / 6.19278; 10.45389
TypeCrater lake
Basin countriesCameroon
Surface area243 hectares (600 acres)[1]
Average depth32 metres (105 ft)[1]
Max. depth52 metres (171 ft)[1]
Surface elevation2,227 metres (7,306 ft)[1]

The lake lies in an explosion crater formed in the last phase of development of the Oku Massif, a large volcanic field with a diameter of about 100 kilometres (62 mi). Mount Oku is a stratovolcano that rises to 3,011 metres (9,879 ft).[2] The lake is the subject of many myths among the local people.[3]

The lake is the only known habitat of the Lake Oku Clawed Frog.[4] The surrounding Kilum-Ijim Forest is a nature reserve, set up by BirdLife International, and home to many rare species.[5]

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c d e Doherty-Bone, Thomas (2014). Doherty-Bone, Thomas (ed.). "A Working Conservation Action Plan for Lake Oku". doi:10.13140/2.1.4988.5760. Retrieved 2018-10-31. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  2. ^ Alan Robert Woolley (2001). "OKU". Alkaline rocks and carbonatites of the world, Part 3. Geological Society. p. 35. ISBN 1-86239-083-5.
  3. ^ Pierre Fandio, Mongi Madini (2007). Figures de l'histoire et imaginaire au Cameroun. Editions L'Harmattan. p. 36. ISBN 978-2-296-03838-7.
  4. ^ "Lake Oku Clawed Frog (Xenopus longipes". EDGE. Archived from the original on 2011-09-30. Retrieved 2011-02-06.
  5. ^ "Lake Oku (Boyo Division, NW Region)". Cameroon Tourist. Archived from the original on 2011-07-08. Retrieved 2011-02-06.