Volcanic hazards are dangerous Flashcards
When did Nyiragongo take place?
2002
Where does Mount Nyiragongo lie?
In the Virunga Mountains in the DRC
How big is the main crater of Mount Nyiragongo?
250m deep, 2km wide
How many times has Nyiragongo erupted?
30
For how much of Africa’s total eruptions does Nyiragongo account for?
40%
What is special about Nyiragongo’s lava?
It is very fluid and has been known to move downhill at speeds of over 90km/h
What is the area of Goma’s risk and vulnerability?
The volcano doesn’t pose a huge threat as its lava is slow, but flows can overwhelm agricultural areas
Emissions of poisonous carbon dioxide gas has seeped from volcano in the past
Why do people choose to live near the volcano of Nyiragongo?
The combination of altitude (1,500m), extended growing season and the fertile volcanic soil shave encouraged residents
Was the 2002 eruption of Nyiragongo expected?
No
What flowed towards the direction of Goma when Nyiragongo erupted?
Lava
How big was the fissure that opened during the eruption of Mount Nyiragongo?
13km, 2m deep
What was Nyiragongo measured on the VEI scale?
1
How much of Goma did the lava flows destroy after the eruption of Nyiragongo?
One third
How many inhabitants live in Goma?
200,000
What services was destroyed in Goma?
The commercial centre
Water and power supply facilities
Medical facilites
How many health centres were destroyed after the eruption of Nyiragongo?
Three health centres
How much of the runway of Goma airport did the lava cover?
Third
What was the death toll from Nyiragongo?
147
How many people Fled to Rwanda?
350,000 - causing enormous problems providing resources
What poisoned water after Nyiragongo?
Sulphurous lava entered Lake Kivu
What accompanied the eruption of Nyiragongo?
Several eruptions, one measuring over 5
What was the initial response to the eruption Nyiragongo?
Red Alert - kept death toll low
What did the UN ferry in 2 days after mount Nyiragongo erupted?
Humanitarian aid
What did the UN set up when they arrived 2 days after the eruption?
Camps to house the displaced people
How much was estimated for the cost of providing, food, blankets, household utensils, temporary shelter, clean water, sanitation and health care to the refugees? - Mount N
$15 million
What was the main problem of lava flows? - Mount N
It destroyed many businesses resulting in massive unemployment
What are two contrasting examples of volcanoes?
Nyiragongo and Eyjafjallajokull
When did Eyjafjallajokull take place?
2010
Where did Eyjafjallajokull take place?
Iceland
What plate boundary is Eyjafjallajokull on?
Constructive plate boundary between the North American and Eurasian plate
What were the economic impacts of E?
The ash plume stopped jet engines, just in Europe.
However, the channel tunnel and ferries did extra business.
Europe lost money
Horticulture lost money
The ash made Icelandic soil so fertile farmers could produce rapeseed oil and grapes
What were the environmental impacts of E?
Less aircraft noise and less CO2 due to flight bans.
Fluoride deposits on grazing land poisoned cattle.
Fertiliser for the surrounding land was not needed.
Surrounding rivers were silted with ash
What were the social impacts of E?
People evacuated due to the flooding from the melted glacier.
The ash contaminated drinking water supplies.
Ash caused respiratory illnesses for some locals. Cancelled flights left many stranded in different countries
What was the immediate response of E?
700 locals evacuated. 100,000 European flights cancelled during 6-day ban. Exclusion zone created.
What was the long term response of E?
700 locals evacuated. 100,000 European flights cancelled during 6-day ban. Exclusion zone created.
What were the social impacts of N?
Homes were destroyed by ash and lava.
People were evacuated.
Deaths in 24 hours
Aid agencies were unable to access some areas of Goma.
The lava took a long time to cool and it burnt people as they tried to return to their homes.
Cholera spread because of lack of sanitation in areas that people fled to.
Deaths when fuel exploded while they were trying to siphon it off at a petrol station.
Nearby villages were destroyed in the lava flow.
How many homes were destroyed due to ash and Laval during N?
12,500
How many people were evacuated during N?
400,000
How many people died in the first 24 hours after N?
45
What made is difficult for aid agencies to access Goma?
Lava flow which filled the roads
What spread during N because of the lack of sanitation?
Cholera
How many people were killed when fuel exploded while people were trying to siphon it off at a petrol station during N?
50
How many nearby village were destroyed because of N lava flow?
14
What were the economic impacts of N?
Lava covered lots of Goma
One month after the eruption people were dependant on aid.
People lost their businesses and jobs.
Aviation fuel stores exploded as the lava flow damaged Goma airport.
Due to poverty, most people could not afford to rebuild their homes.
How much of Goma did the Lava cover?
15%
How many people were dependant on aid now month after the eruption of N?
350,000
What were the environmental impacts of N?
Poisonous gases caused acid rain, which affected farmland and cattle. Many farmers lost income. Had the lava reached Lake Kivu, or seismic activity disrupted the lake, then dangerous levels of carbon dioxide and methane could have been released.
Carbon dioxide levels are still a serious (and possibly deadly) issue in areas where winds do not disperse the released gases.
How many jet engines did the ash plume of E stop from flying in Europe?
100,000
How much GDP did Europe loose after E?
$2.6 billion
How much did Horticulture loose per day after E?
£3 million
How much less CO2 was there because of the flight bans during E?
2.8 million tonnes
How many people were evacuated due to the melted glacier after E?
700
