Mount Nyiragongo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Nyiragongo |
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Mount Nyiragongo viewed aerially in 2014
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 3,470 m (11,385 ft) |
| Prominence | 1,443 m (4,734 ft) |
| Geography | |
 Mount Nyiragongo
Location in Democratic Republic of the Congo
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| Location | Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Parent range | Virunga Mountains |
| Geology | |
| Mountain type | Stratovolcano |
| Last eruption | 22 February 2024 – present |
Mount Nyiragongo is an active stratovolcano in the Virunga Mountains of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It stands about 3,470 m (11,385 ft) tall. This volcano is located inside Virunga National Park, not far from the city of Goma and Lake Kivu.
One of the most amazing things about Nyiragongo is its huge lava lake inside the main crater. This crater is about two kilometres (1 mi) wide! The lava lake's depth changes a lot. At times, it has been the biggest known lava lake in the world. Nyiragongo and a nearby volcano called Nyamuragira cause a large portion of all volcanic eruptions in Africa.
Contents
What is Nyiragongo Made Of?
Mount Nyiragongo is a stratovolcano, which means it's shaped like a cone. It's built up from layers of ash, rocks, and hardened lava flows.
The lava from Nyiragongo is very special. It has a low amount of a substance called silica. This makes the lava super runny! While most lava flows move slowly, Nyiragongo's lava can race downhill incredibly fast. It can reach speeds of up to 100 km/h (60 mph). This makes its eruptions very dangerous because the lava moves so quickly.
History of Eruptions
Scientists aren't sure how long Nyiragongo has been erupting. But we know it has erupted at least 34 times since 1882. Often, its lava lake has been active for years at a time, constantly churning. The lava lake was first confirmed by scientists in 1948. Since then, its size, depth, and temperature have changed a lot.
The lava lake is still active today. It's mostly found inside a smaller, steep-sided cone on the crater floor. This cone is about 18 m (60 ft) high and 180 m (600 ft) wide.
The 1977 Eruption
From 1894 to 1977, Nyiragongo's crater held an active lava lake. But on January 10, 1977, the crater walls broke open. The entire lava lake drained out in less than an hour!
The lava rushed down the volcano's sides at speeds up to 60 km/h (37 mph). This was the fastest lava flow ever recorded at that time. Sadly, it swept through villages and caused a tragic loss of life. The lava emptied the lake in just 30 minutes, flowing in different directions.
Because Nyiragongo is so close to many towns, its eruptions can cause big problems. The 1977 eruption showed how dangerous this volcano can be. Because of this, in 1991, it was named a Decade Volcano. This means it's one of the most important volcanoes to study in the world.
The 2002 Eruptions
After the 1977 eruption, lava lakes formed again in the crater in 1982–1983 and 1994. Another major eruption started on January 17, 2002. This happened after several months of increased earthquake activity and gas escaping from the volcano.
A long crack, about 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) long, opened on the volcano's southern side. Lava poured out and flowed towards the city of Goma. Warnings were given, and about 400,000 people left the city. They moved across the border into Rwanda. The lava covered part of the airport runway and reached Lake Kivu.
People worried that the lava might cause dangerous gases to rise from the lake. This didn't happen, but scientists still watch the area very closely. Sadly, the eruption led to the loss of about 245 lives, mainly due to breathing in volcanic gases or buildings falling down. The lava covered a large part of Goma, and many people lost their homes.
After the eruption stopped, many earthquakes shook the area for about three months. This caused even more buildings to collapse. Six months later, Nyiragongo erupted again.
Ongoing Dangers
Sometimes, a gas called carbon dioxide can build up in low areas. This gas is known locally as 'mazuku'. If there's no wind to blow it away, it can be very dangerous. This has sadly affected children in the past.
In 2016, scientists found a new opening in the crater. This made some people worry about a possible eruption from the side of the volcano. In 2020, observers saw the lava lake rising, which is often a sign that an eruption might happen soon.
The 2021 Eruption
A new eruption began on May 22, 2021. Lava flowed towards the Goma airport and the city center of Goma. Authorities told people in Goma to leave their homes, and thousands evacuated. Electricity was also cut off in many areas.
By May 27, 2021, sadly, some people went missing and were thought to have died. The eruption sadly caused at least 32 deaths, mainly from accidents during the evacuation.
Monitoring the Volcano
Mount Nyiragongo is constantly watched by a team of scientists at the Goma Volcanic Observatory (GVO). They collect data on earthquakes and temperature every few minutes. However, the future of this important observatory is uncertain because its funding might stop.
See also
- Decade Volcanoes
- List of volcanic eruptions by death toll
- List of volcanoes in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Images for kids
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Satellite image of the eruption plume from Nyiragongo in July 2004
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Mount Nyiragongo's lava lake
