Lake Oku
Crater lake in Cameroon
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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]
Coordinates6°11′34″N 10°27′14″E
Surface area243 hectares (600 acres)[1]
| Lake Oku | |
|---|---|
| |
  Lake Oku  Lake Oku | |
| Coordinates | 6°11′34″N 10°27′14″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]