Volcanic eruption Mount Nyiragongo, Congo Flashcards
when did Mount Nyiragongo erupt?
January 2002
where is Mount Nyiragongo?
in the Virunga mountains in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
what is Mount Nyiragongo associated with?
African Rift Valley
what is the lava like that erupts out of Mount Nyiragongo?
very fluid and quick
why have many people settled near the area despite the threat of the volcano?
as the Goma area is part of a fertile agricultural region with high altitude means extended growing seasons with fertile volcanic soil
why is lava usually not the biggest threat to humans?
as it’s slow moving so people can move
what does lava overwhelm?
lava flows overwhelm agricultural areas and large swathes of built environment
in recent times what have people become very vulnerable to?
poisonous carbon dioxide gas seeping from ground around the volcano
what did the lava flows destroy?
- A third of Goma a town with 200,000 residents
- Commercial center with water and power supply facilities
- medical facilities including three health centers and one hospital
what did the lava cover at the airport?
the northern third of the runway at Goma airport
what was the death toll and from what?
147 from poisonous gases, contaminated water and collapsed buildings
how many people fled and to where?
350,000 mostly to border of Rwanda to a small town which caused problems providing food and shelter in the small country
why was drinking water contaminated and what did the sulphurous lava enter? what was also a fear from this?
sulphurous lava entered lake Kivu poisoning the water
fear that lava would heat the lake bed and release methane and carbon dioxide
what accompanied the eruption?
several earthquakes
why did people require medical attention?
effects of smoke and fumes causing eye problems and respiratory issues
effects of contaminated water
