Nyiragongo Volcano, a New Tourist Attraction in Congo DRC
Newswire Services
July 23, 2010
Washington, DC -- Lakes of hot lava are one of the most spectacular forms of volcanic activity, but they are very difficult to see since there are only a few of them in the world at any given time. So, if you want to see a really impressive lava lake, you have only one option left: Nyiragongo.
Nyiragongo is a stratovolcano located in the east of Congo (DRC), at around 19 km from Goma in the Virunga Mountains, which are associated with the Great Rift Valley, and is the most active volcano in the world. It is most well known for its location with Rwanda, which is just west of the border.
The main crater of Nyiragongo Volcano is around two km wide and contains a lava lake. There are currently two distinct cooled lava benches within the crater walls. One of the lava benches is around 10,400 feet while the lower one is approximately 9,800 feet. In addition, while the depth of the lava lake has varied, its maximum elevation was recorded at 10,700 feet just prior to the January 1977 eruption.
In recent years it has been one of the most voluminous lava lakes. This is precisely what has created so much tourist attention in the area as it is not often one gets the opportunity to see an active volcano. Hakuna Matata Tours is one place visitors can go to get details and information while planning to hike Nyiragongo volcano for themselves.
Nyiragongo Volcano and Nyamuragira are actually responsible for 40 percent of Africa's historical volcanic eruptions. This gives an idea of its intense history and what kind of damage it has done in the past.
Following a major eruption in 1977, lava lakes actually began to reform in the crater with eruptions in 1982-1983 and in 1994. Another major eruption took place on January 17, 2002, after a great deal of seismic and fumarolic activity had taken place. Lava did reach the outskirts of Goma town and streamed from three spatter cones. Over 400,000 people were evacuated from the city and across the Rwandan border.
As a result of the volcano, around 45 people died from asphyxiation by carbon dioxide and buildings collapsed. Around 15 percent of the Goma and 45,000 buildings were destroyed and around 120,000 people were left homeless by the lava and earthquakes. It has been considered as the most destructive effusive eruption in modern history. The eruptions temporarily drained the lava lake in the summit crater while volcanic gases suffocated the heather forests on the upper slopes. Now the forest is recovering, and the wildlife is beginning to return.
However, there is still a close eye on Nyiragongo Volcano as it did erupt six months after the start of the 2002 eruption. Activity is ongoing, but it is currently confined to the crater. This is where another lava lake has begun to form around 250 meters below the level of the 1994 lava lake. And while the goal is to keep the city and the people safe from any devastating eruptions again, it is a terrific tourist destination with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see a live volcano.
Nyiragongo is a stratovolcano located in the east of Congo (DRC), at around 19 km from Goma in the Virunga Mountains, which are associated with the Great Rift Valley, and is the most active volcano in the world. It is most well known for its location with Rwanda, which is just west of the border.
The main crater of Nyiragongo Volcano is around two km wide and contains a lava lake. There are currently two distinct cooled lava benches within the crater walls. One of the lava benches is around 10,400 feet while the lower one is approximately 9,800 feet. In addition, while the depth of the lava lake has varied, its maximum elevation was recorded at 10,700 feet just prior to the January 1977 eruption.
In recent years it has been one of the most voluminous lava lakes. This is precisely what has created so much tourist attention in the area as it is not often one gets the opportunity to see an active volcano. Hakuna Matata Tours is one place visitors can go to get details and information while planning to hike Nyiragongo volcano for themselves.
Nyiragongo Volcano and Nyamuragira are actually responsible for 40 percent of Africa's historical volcanic eruptions. This gives an idea of its intense history and what kind of damage it has done in the past.
Following a major eruption in 1977, lava lakes actually began to reform in the crater with eruptions in 1982-1983 and in 1994. Another major eruption took place on January 17, 2002, after a great deal of seismic and fumarolic activity had taken place. Lava did reach the outskirts of Goma town and streamed from three spatter cones. Over 400,000 people were evacuated from the city and across the Rwandan border.
As a result of the volcano, around 45 people died from asphyxiation by carbon dioxide and buildings collapsed. Around 15 percent of the Goma and 45,000 buildings were destroyed and around 120,000 people were left homeless by the lava and earthquakes. It has been considered as the most destructive effusive eruption in modern history. The eruptions temporarily drained the lava lake in the summit crater while volcanic gases suffocated the heather forests on the upper slopes. Now the forest is recovering, and the wildlife is beginning to return.
However, there is still a close eye on Nyiragongo Volcano as it did erupt six months after the start of the 2002 eruption. Activity is ongoing, but it is currently confined to the crater. This is where another lava lake has begun to form around 250 meters below the level of the 1994 lava lake. And while the goal is to keep the city and the people safe from any devastating eruptions again, it is a terrific tourist destination with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see a live volcano.
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