Unit 1: Topic 2 - Case Study 3 - Mt Nyiragongo (Shield Volcano)

Question 1

Where?

Answer 1

Democratic Republic of Congo, Central Africa. West of the border of Rwanda.

20km North of Goma.

Question 2

When?

Answer 2

17th January 2002 (Constantly erupting for 30-40 years)

Question 3

What?

Answer 3

• Destroyed 15% of Goma’s 4,500 buildings, including international airport and business centre.
• Lava flows created fires in commercial centres.
• Audible explosions from cars and petrol stations. 50 people died in a petrol station explosion when they were trying to siphon petrol.
• 147 people died due to asphyxiation and carbon dioxide.
• Lava reached speeds of 60mph.

Question 4

Who?

Answer 4

• 400,000 people evacuated to Rwandan border

- 14 nearby villages were destroyed.

Question 5

Why?

Answer 5

CONSTRUCTIVE PLATE MARGIN

Rifting of Earth where 2 parts of the African plate is breaking apart. This created the East African Rift Valley where the area consists of many faults.

A lot of damage as the government is under stress in a war-torn country and there is not much technology.

Question 6

Short Term Effects?

Answer 6

• 120,000 people lost their homes - food, non-foods and transport were needed.
• 45 people died in the first 24 hours
• Lava flow made it difficult to travel as it flooded roads.

Question 7

Long Term Effects?

Answer 7

• A month after, there was 3 lava flows into city of Goma
• Thousands remain homeless
• 2/4 hospitals remained buried under 2 meters of lava. Same with 80/150 pharmacies.
• Localised carbon dioxide toxicity known locally as ‘mazuku’ has killed children. This is where gas seeps from the ground.
• Cholera spread due to lack of ‘sanitisation’

Question 8

Short Term Solutions?

Answer 8

• 400,000 people evacuated

Question 9

Long Term Solutions?

Answer 9

• Scientists have advised to stop building in Goma as they can only predict the volcanic activity so that people can evacuate.