Only 12 percent of the world's active volcanoes are topped with lakes. Scientists study these lakes' chemistry to monitor and learn more about volcanic activity. Whereas the lakes are rare and beautiful, they can also be dangerous. Those atop active vents can bubble and overflow during an eruption, spilling boiling water down the volcano's slopes.

» Click here for a slide show of lakes atop volcanoes

1 Comments

1. 1. jgrosay 11:21 AM 11/19/11

   The Nyragongo molten lava lake, in Congo, is one of the greatest wonders on earth, but I always doubt what kind of heart have the people that came there and filmed it. Just impressive !

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