Nyamuragira

Nyamuragira

Mount Nyamuragira is an active volcano in the Virunga Mountains of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, situated about 25 km north of Lake Kivu.

It has been described as Africa's most active volcano and has erupted over 30 times since 1880. As well as eruptions from the summit, there have been numerous eruptions from the flanks of the volcano, creating new smaller volcanoes that have lasted only for a short time (e.g. Murara from late 1976 to 1977).

Sulfur dioxide emissions by volcanoes, 1979-2003.

The volcano is responsible for a large portion of the sulfur dioxide released into the atmosphere by volcanoes.

Lava flows from Nyamuragira (upper left) extend to Lake Kivu.

Extensive lava flows can be seen on satellite photographs going 25 km south-west to Lake Kivu, about 22 km north-west and 35 km north-north-east. Nyamuragira is only 13 km north-north-west of Nyiragongo, the volcano which caused extensive damage to the city of Goma in its 2002 eruption.

Nyamuragira volcano has a volume of 500 cubic km, and covers an area of 1500 sq km. It has a low shield profile, and contrasts with adjacent steep-sided Nyiragongo volcano.

2010 eruption

At dawn, January 2, Nyamuragira began spewing out lava flows. There are no settlements close to the volcano, but wildlife officials fear that the eruption may threaten the chimpanzees in the area. Another danger is that the lava may soon flow into the southern sector of Virunga National Park, were there are settlements and villages.

See also

• List of volcanoes in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

External links

• Smithsonian Institution's Global Volcanism Program - Nyamuragira
• 2006 eruption
• "Congo volcano threat to villages" BBC report with video, 2010 eruption