How is Lake Victoria different from the rift valley lakes?

Lake Victoria is distinct from the lakes of the East African Rift System primarily due to its geological formation and physical characteristics.123

• Geological Origin: Unlike the rift valley lakes, which are tectonic in origin and situated within deep, fault-formed fissures, Lake Victoria occupies a shallow downwarp in the center of the great plateau between the Eastern and Western Rift Valleys. It is set in a region characterized by erosion surfaces rather than the steep, tectonic escarpments that typically flank rift lakes.123
• Depth and Shape: Lake Victoria is relatively shallow, with a maximum depth of about 260 to 270 feet (80 to 82 meters). In contrast, rift lakes like Lake Tanganyika are often extremely deep, with Tanganyika reaching depths of over 4,700 feet. Additionally, Lake Victoria has a quadrilateral shape, whereas rift lakes typically exhibit an elongated form.12
• Hydrology: While many rift lakes are independent inland drainage basins or contain deoxygenated, saline, or mineral-rich waters, Lake Victoria serves as the chief reservoir and a primary source of the Nile River.142