06:10
Reactions
How Can Fertilizer Explode?
Spoiler Alert! It's because of the ammonium nitrate.
The Invisible Tsunami That Killed 1,500 People in One Night
Reactions is a show that uncovers the chemistry all around us. We answer the burning questions you’ve always wanted to ask, blending the worlds of science and every-day life.
The Invisible Tsunami That Killed 1,500 People in One Night
Season 6 Episode 10 | 11m 28s
On August 21, 1986, violent explosions rocked Cameroon’s Lake Nyos. A wave of water over 15 meters high flattened vegetation along the southern shore, but a second deadly, nearly invisible wave of carbon dioxide blanketed the nearby towns, suffocating residents and animals. In this episode, we investigate how a lake could explode and shoot out a gigantic wave of deadly carbon dioxide gas.
Subscribe to Our Newsletters
Get trusted Colorado stories, programs, and events from Rocky Mountain PBS straight to your inbox.