Nyiragongo Volcanic Eruption January 2002

Nyiragongo's Eruptive History Explaining the eruption: geological background Details of the 2002 eruption Relevant links - find out more.. GeoNews Homepage

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Nyiragongo's Eruptive History

On Thursday 17th January 2002, a major eruption began at Nyiragongo Volcano in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire) devastating the city of Goma.

Location map

Main Map courtesy of National Geographic Xpeditions http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions

Nyiragongo is one of Africa's most famous active volcanoes and has a long history of volcanic activity. Between 1894 to 1977, the crater at the top of Nyiragongo held a lava lake which was drained in less than an hour in January 1977 when lava erupted from fissures (cracks) on the sides of the volcano, moving at speeds reaching 40 miles per hour. About 70 people were killed in this disaster. The volcano has continued to be active in the following decades, including the last recorded activity at the volcano in 1994, when a lava lake reappeared in the crater at its summit. Although Nyiragongo started erupting lava during 2001, a major eruption began on Thursday 17th January 2002 and Thursday's eruption

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Explaining the eruption: Geological Background

Nyiragongo is a cone-shaped volcano (stratovolcano), situated along the borders of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Uganda. It is set along the East African Rift zone, a 6000 mile fissure (crack) in the earth's crust. This zone marks a triple junction where three plates (the Arabian Plate and the two parts of the African Plate (Nubian and Somalian)) are moving away from each other at what is a divergent (constructive) plate boundary. As the plates move apart molten rock is forced up in volcanic eruptions.

Nyiragongo and the East African Rift Zone

The Rift Valley probably represents an early stage of continental plate separation and in millions of years a new ocean basin may appear in this part of Africa.

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Details of the 2002 eruption.

Nyiragongo volcano erupted on Thursday 17th January 2002, sending plumes of ash into the atmosphere and sending three rivers of volcanic lava flowing down its sides. The eruption has been hailed as the worst in central Africa for 25 years. Following Thursday's eruption, hundreds of thousands of people have now been evacuated from their homes, fleeing for their lives. Almost half of the town of Goma which is 11 miles south of the summit is reported to be ablaze as rivers of lava up to 6 feet deep and 30 metres wide have swept through it. The town is situated on the shores of Lake Kivu and as lava flows into the lake, scientists have warned of possible further dangers resulting from possible reactions between lava and gases in the lake (see articles below).

A summary of the effects of the eruption so far... (up to Sat. 19th Jan)

	An estimated 45 people were killed in the first 24 hours and current estimates are around 500. There are also hundreds of injuries expected including burn victims and victims of smoke inhalation.
	The air is thick with the smell of sulphur.
	At least 14 villages have been destroyed as lava swept down the sides of the volcano
	British aid workers are travelling to the country to offer help to victims of the volcanic eruption.
	Goma has been inundated by lava with estimates of up to 80% of buildings destroyed or burning, including government buildings, schools and hospitals
	Hundreds of thousands of refugees require shelter as their homes have been destroyed.
	As well as lacking shelter, many refugees have been without food or water since the eruption commenced and there is no electricity or running water supplies in the town of Goma.
	As people fled the town of Goma, looting began from shops in the deserted streets.
	Communications have been destroyed. The town's airport is unusable as lava is spreading across the runway and the main road north to Uganda is completely inaccessible. Goma's port has also been destroyed.

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Relevant Links - find out more..

The following web-links provide a wealth of information about the Nyiragongo Volcano, including recent news articles documenting the effects of 2002's major eruption.

General

Photos and Satellite Images of Nyiragongo (Volcano World)

Volcano Live Update on Nyiragongo

Global Volcanism Programme - Volcanic Activity Reports: Nyiragongo

The Volcano Information Centre

Why Volcanoes Explode (a BBC News article)

News Reports

Reports from The Independent's News Website

	Thousands flee after river of molten lava engulfs village
	Giant wave of lava leaves death and chaos in its wake
	Dozens killed by volcano eruption
	Goma's Homeless Face Food Crisis

Reports from the BBC News Website

	Congo Volcano "kills dozens"
	Congo Volcano - the facts
	The Congo volcano in pictures
	Volcano exodus sparks aid alert.
	Eyewitness: Desperate Plight of Victims
	Cholera Fear for Volcano Victims
	Mount Nyiragongo: Trail of Destruction
	In Pictures: Refugee Crisis
	Goma: Eruption Aftermath

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