13. Mount Nyiragongo, Democratic Republic of the Congo: A Looming Threat in the Heart of Africa
Rising majestically over the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mount Nyiragongo is among the most active and deadly stratovolcanoes in the world. Within the limits of Virunga National Park, this impressive summit has become known as a geological wonder and a possible disaster just waiting to strike. One of the biggest and most active volcanoes in the world, its lava lake is most unique and concerning aspect. Active for more than a century, this molten cauldron boasts lava of remarkable fluidity that may run down the volcano’s steep slopes at rates of up to 60 miles per hour (100 kilometres per hour). Nyiragongo’s terrible eruptions in 1977 and 2002 show how especially dangerous this feature renders Nyiragongo to the neighbouring city of Goma and surrounding towns. Particularly disastrous, the 2002 eruption destroyed much of Goma and uprooted hundreds of thousands of people. The position of the volcano in an area afflicted by political unrest and conflict adds still another level of difficulty for monitoring and controlling this natural hazard. Notwithstanding these challenges, Mount Nyiragongo has grown to be a focal point for studies on science and initiatives in disaster readiness. Using a range of cutting-edge equipment like seismometers, gas analysers, and satellite photos, international teams of volcanologists and geologists labour ceaselessly to examine the behaviour of the volcano. These initiatives seek not only to improve the internal dynamics of the volcano but also to create more successful early warning systems and evacuation plans for the nearby vulnerable communities. Nyiragongo’s unusual geological features—including its extremely fluid lava and structural instability of its crater walls—cause continuous difficulties for prediction and mitigating activities. As one of the last refuges for the threatened mountain gorilla, the volcano’s eruptions have also had major biological effects on the nearby Virunga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site noted for great biodiversity.
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