Mt Nyiragongo Flashcards
When did the volcanic eruption occur?
17th January 2002
What caused the eruption?
Months of increased earthquakes, 13km fissure opened. Basaltic lava exited from 3 main vents. (100km/hr)
How many people died?
45 in the first 24 hours. 147 in total
How many people fled to Rwanda?
40,000
How much of Goma was destroyed by lava flows?
One third and covered the northern 3rd of the runway.
How many were homeless?
120,000
How many people were dependent on aid?
350,000
What happened to medical facilities?
2 of the citys 4 hospitals, three out of the 11 health centres and 80 out of Goma’s 150 pharmacies were buried under two meters of lava.
Sulphurous lava entered lake Kivu, contaminating water supplies - what problems did this cause?
Cholera and dysentery
A petrol station exploded due to the lava flows, why did a lot of people die and how many died?
100 people died. They were looting, it is thought they were trying to sell the petrol for money to buy food.
What was issued that kept the death rate low?
Red alert - evacuated 400,000
2 days later who brought in humanitarian aid?
United Nations
What were there estimated costs?
$15 million
When rebuilding what did many people suffer from?
Burns
What do they now use to monitor the volcano?
Educate locals, monitor gas levels (SO2 and C02)
