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Lake Tritriva

earth science Maturity 7-9 Next article →

Lake Tritriva is a very special place in Madagascar.

It sits in the southwest-central part of the island. This lake is located in the Vàkinankàratra region. It is near a small village called Belazao. The lake is found inside an extinct volcanic crater. An extinct volcano is one that is no longer active. This makes the lake a unique part of the land.

The lake works in a very interesting way. It fills the vent of an oval volcanic cone. This cone is surrounded by steep gneiss cliffs. Gneiss is a type of rock that forms these walls. The rim of the cone stays above sea level. The surface of the water stays below the rim. The water level changes with the seasons. It drops during the rainy season. It rises once the monsoon rains have ceased.

People have long respected the rules of this place. There is a strict Fady for Lake Tritriva. A Fady is a taboo or a sacred rule. Because of this rule, swimming is not allowed. This rule helps keep the lake special. It is a way that people honor the site.

There are many important facts about this site. The lake is up to 40 meters deep. This makes it the deepest lake in Madagascar. You can reach it using National Road 34. This road is 15 km away from Antsirabe. The area is also known for many hot springs. These springs are found throughout the region.

You can think of the lake like a giant bowl. The volcanic cone acts as the sides of the bowl. The steep gneiss cliffs are the edges. The water sits inside this natural stone container. Just like a bowl in the rain, the level changes. The monsoon rains fill the bowl up high. The dry season lets the water level fall. It is a beautiful part of the natural world.

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