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 | |
|---|---|
 | |
  Lake Oku  Lake Oku | |
| Coordinates | 6°11′34″N 10°27′14″E / 6.19278°N 10.45389°E |
| Type | Crater lake |
| Basin countries | Cameroon |
| Surface area | 243 hectares (600 acres)[1] |
| Average depth | 32 metres (105 ft)[1] |
| Max. depth | 52 metres (171 ft)[1] |
| Surface elevation | 2,227 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
editReferences
edit- ^ 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) - ^ Alan Robert Woolley (2001). "OKU". Alkaline rocks and carbonatites of the world, Part 3. Geological Society. p. 35. ISBN 1-86239-083-5.
- ^ Pierre Fandio, Mongi Madini (2007). Figures de l'histoire et imaginaire au Cameroun. Editions L'Harmattan. p. 36. ISBN 978-2-296-03838-7.
- ^ "Lake Oku Clawed Frog (Xenopus longipes". EDGE. Archived from the original on 2011-09-30. Retrieved 2011-02-06.
- ^ "Lake Oku (Boyo Division, NW Region)". Cameroon Tourist. Archived from the original on 2011-07-08. Retrieved 2011-02-06.