Mt Nyiragongo - volcanic eruption LIC Flashcards
Where is Mt Nyiragongo?
Virunga mountains in Democratic Republic Of Congo associated with African Rift Valley
How big is the main crater of the volcano?
250 metres deep, 2 km wide and contains a lava lake
How many times has it erupted since 1882?
34 times
What is lava like at this volcano?
runny and moves downhill at speeds of up to 90 km an hour
What is Goma part of?
a fertile agricultural region
What is the altitude of Goma?
1,500 metres
What have encouraged people to live here?
fertile volcanic soils and the extended growing season
When did Mt Nyriagongo erupt?
January 2002
What were there warnings sent out about?
the lava flows
How big was the fissure?
13 km opening on the southern flank of the volcano
What was it recorded on the VEI scale?
1
How many inhabitants in Goma?
over 200,000
What did lava flows destroy?
1/3 of Goma, and northern third of the runway
How many health centres and hospitals destroyed?
3 health centres, 1 hospital
What was the death toll?
147
How many people fled to Rwanda?
350,000
What entered Lake Kivu?
sulphurous lava which poisoned water
What was there a fear of regarding Lake Kivu?
the rise in temperature due to the lava could allow toxic gases to be released from the lake bed
What were some of the earthquakes which accompanied the eruption measured as?
5 on the richter scale
What occurred within abandoned homes?
looting
What was the initial response?
authorities issued a red alert which enabled a full evacuation to take place
What was the UN able to do two days after the eruption?
ferry in aid
What did emergency rations initially consist of?
high energy biscuits, maize/beans/cooking oil
What were set up to help displaced people?
camps
What was the cost of the eruption?
$15 million
How many people were evacuated?
400,000
What made it difficult to monitor?
Unrest in the country
What have they now done to help future eruptions?
Regular data gathering
Volcanic observatory
Practice drills
