Nyiragongo - LIDC -IMPACTS

Question 1

INTRO VIDEO NYIRAGONGO

Answer 1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y881xOHK_Dw

Question 2

Mount Nyiragongo - location

Answer 2

• Located in the Democratic Republic of

Question 3

Date & Time of Eruption

Answer 3

• Eruption occurred on 17th January 2002

Question 4

Plate Boundary

Answer 4

• Divergent Plate Boundary between the Nubian plate (East) and Somali plate (West)
• Part of the East African Rift Valley

Question 5

Nature of Eruption

Answer 5

The eruption was caused by the tectonic spreading of the Kivu rift which led to the fracturing of the ground allowing lava to flow out of the crater lava lake.

2km wide  crater usually filled with a lake *	Stratovolcano/Composite volcano with Effusive eruption VEI=1

• Fast-flowing lava at speeds up to 35mph due to low viscosity of basaltic lava

Question 6

Hazards from Eruption

Answer 6

• 2m high fast Lava flow
• Earthquakes
• Deadly Gas emissions - CO2

Question 7

any Managemnt of eruption?

Answer 7

• Monitoring systems were in place but provided little warning
• Slow evacuation pace; residents stopped to watch eruption

Question 8

Social Factors Affecting Impact Scale

Answer 8

• Ongoing regional & ethnic conflict leading to extreme vulnerability
• High population density in Goma complicated evacuation efforts

Question 9

Economic Factors

Answer 9

• Classified as an LIDC (Low Income Developing Country) with high poverty levels and dependence on agriculture

Question 10

Reasons for Settlement Near Nyiragongo

Answer 10

• Presence of mineral resources like diamonds and tin
• Fertile soil enriched by volcanic ash ideal for agriculture
• Potential geothermal energy sources
• Tourism attraction due to the volcano’s activity

Question 11

SOcial Imoacts

Answer 11

The eruption led to the displacement of around 400,000 people, causing overcrowding and poor hygiene conditions in refugee camps

The poor conditions in the refugee camps led to the spread of cholera1.

Question 12

Economic Impacts

Answer 12

The eruption destroyed businesses and shops across the region, leading to significant economic loss1.

Looting broke out after people evacuated Goma, further exacerbating the economic impact.

Question 13

Environmental Impacts

Answer 13

The eruption caused significant damage to the local environment, including the destruction of houses, schools, and the city’s main water reservoir

Acid rain fell due to the reaction of volcanic gases in the atmosphere, damaging farmland1.

Question 14

Political Imoacts

Answer 14

The eruption added to the existing crises in the region, including years of conflict and economic shocks

The displacement of people and the destruction of their homes led to a large number of people seeking refuge in Rwanda

Question 15

Impact of its LIDC status

Answer 15

Infrastructure & Preparedness:
DRC had limited resources for disaster preparedness & response.
Limited resources for infrastructure & resources to monitor volcano & implement evacuation plans

Economic Resilience:
LIDC = little resilience. DRC’s economy was severely negatively affected. Residents lost livelihoods & unemployment now very high

Humanitarian Crisis:
Eruption led to homelessness + unemployment = LIDC with no rebuild opportunity

Conflict:
Ethnic & military conflict made impacts worse. Money spent on conflict not on investment in rebuild