Mount Nyiragongo Flashcards
Where is Mount Nyiragongo located?
Located in the Virunga mountains in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, 50 km North of Goma and near Rwanda
Why is the location important?
Sits above a hotspot on the West African Rift Valley on an Embryonic divergent plate boundary
Goma located 12km south and has a population of over 500,000
What plates does Mount Nyiragongo lie between?
Nubian and Somali plates
What type of volcano is Nyiragongo?
Stratovolcano with a persistent lava lake
What is the composition of lava?
Mafic basaltic lava which has a low viscosity and is very fast flowing (up to 60-100kmh
How was the 17th January 2002 eruption caused?
13km fissure opened on the southern flank of the volcano
Fuelled by fast flowing lava from the lava lake
What were the social impacts of the eruption?
147 killed directly
1,000 people died after fleeing into war-torn Rwanda, where humanitarian conditions were dire
400,000-500,000 evacuated from Goma
16,000 homes destroyed with 120,000 homeless
Outbreaks of cholera and diarreheal diseases in cramped refugee camps with poor sanitation
350,000 still dependent on aid one month after the eruption
water, electricity and transport infrastructure damaged, resulting in a lack of aid
What were the Economic impacts of the eruption?
80% of Goma’s infrastructure destroyed e.g. schools, hospitals, homes, power plants
Goma international airport damaged with neaby fuel exploding causing further damage
GDP was 11th lowest in Africa
Electricity took 1 month to restore
Acid rain damaged from volcanic gases (sulfur dioxide) damaged crops and harmed cattle limiting agricultural output
However informal sector reappeared within 5 months, establishing stands on lava to sell cigarettes showing community resilience
14 villages obliterated by lava
Many couldn’t afford to rebuild; informal settlements left on dangerous land.
Goma’s economy relies on trade, tourism, and informal jobs, all disrupted
BUT Created fertile soil providing economic opportunities for agricultural and arable farming
What are the political impacts of the eruption?
Goma was politically unstable at the time with 40 years of civil conflict and present insurgency
Area was under control by rebel group RCD- Goma which led to poor coordination between aid agencies and government
Limited scientific funding - Batteries from Goma’s volcano observatory’s sensors were stolen
No official evacuation order given leading to mass panic when the eruption began
What was the short-term response from the community and government?
No evacuation order led to mass panic when the eruption began with the evacuation of over 500,000 from Goma
UN provided 260 tonnes of food aid and established displacement camps
Charities like Christian aid gave 800,000 litres of water a day and set up hospitals and provided shelter
However scale of aid limited due to poor accessibility due to the destruction of transport infrastructure
Looting and crime increased due to desperation
What was the long-term response from the community and the government?
Goma Volcanic Observatory received international aid post eruption, establishing a 3 week warning
Installed seismographs to monitor future co2 levels and seismic activity
Increased awareness by launching education programes in schools
Established Volcanology in community in line with stage 5 of park model
However some countries were hesitant to provide long-term aid due to political instability and conflict
