Nyiragongo’s Fury

Found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mount Nyiragongo is a rather active volcano with a constantly present lake of lava. Mount Nyiragongo is not just another volcano; it is a formidable force that shapes the lives and landscapes of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Its eruptions, particularly the catastrophic events in 1977, 2002, and 2021, are not random occurrences but the result of complex geological processes (Barrière et al., 2022). Understanding Nyiragongo is not merely about recognizing its dangers—it’s about appreciating the intricate dance between tectonic forces, volcanic activity, and human resilience (Barrière et al., 2023). This Story Map is a call to action: to recognize the urgent need for advanced monitoring, better preparedness, and global cooperation to safeguard the communities living in the shadow of this volcanic giant.

Mount Nyiragongo stands as one of the most unique and dangerous stratovolcanoes on the planet, largely due to its highly fluid basaltic lava. This low-viscosity lava, which can travel rapidly over long distances, is a direct result of the volcano’s geological setting within the East African Rift System—a region where the Nubian and Somali plates are diverging. This tectonic activity fuels frequent and often explosive eruptions, setting Nyiragongo apart from other stratovolcanoes (Barrière et al., 2022; Smittarello et al., 2022).

The Tectonic Engine: The divergence of the Nubian and Somali plates is not just a backdrop but a key driver of Nyiragongo’s activity. The stress and tension created by these moving plates fuel the volcano’s eruptions, which have profound implications for the surrounding communities. This tectonic activity is the reason why Nyiragongo is one of the most monitored volcanoes in the world—its behavior can offer insights not only into local hazards but also into broader geological processes that affect the entire East African Rift (Boudoire et al., 2022).

A Lava Lake Like No Other: The persistent lava lake at Nyiragongo’s summit is a testament to the unique geological conditions present here. Unlike most stratovolcanoes, where lava cools and solidifies quickly, Nyiragongo’s low-viscosity basaltic lava remains molten, creating a lake that is both mesmerizing and dangerous. This phenomenon is not just a curiosity; it is a key factor in the volcano’s explosive potential. The mineral content of the magma, rich in gases like sulfur dioxide, not only sustains the lava lake but also influences the frequency and intensity of eruptions (Barrière et al., 2019).

Hazardous Eruption Dynamics: The 1977 and 2002 eruptions of Nyiragongo were marked by the rapid movement of lava, which flowed at unprecedented speeds and caused widespread devastation. These events underscore the unique hazards associated with Nyiragongo—its eruptions are not just powerful but also exceptionally swift, leaving little time for evacuation. The health risks posed by the release of volcanic gases, particularly sulfur dioxide, add another layer of danger, making it imperative to monitor the volcano’s activity closely (Sadiki et al., 2023).

In conclusion, Nyiragongo’s geological characteristics, driven by the dynamics of the East African Rift System, make it a formidable force of nature. Its low-viscosity lava, persistent lava lake, and the rapid onset of eruptions present significant challenges for both the local population and the global scientific community

The eruption of May 22, 2021, highlighted the critical need for advanced monitoring techniques in managing the risks associated with Nyiragongo. Effective monitoring combines several high-tech methods that provide comprehensive insights into the volcano’s behavior, helping to predict and mitigate potential disasters.

Integrated Monitoring Techniques

• Seismic Monitoring: Seismometers placed around Nyiragongo detect the earthquakes caused by magma movement within the Earth’s crust. This seismic activity is often a precursor to an eruption, and by analyzing patterns in the data, scientists can estimate when an eruption might occur (Barrière et al., 2022).
• Infrasound Monitoring: Infrasound sensors capture low-frequency sounds that are inaudible to humans but are crucial for understanding the explosive activity of the volcano. These sounds complement seismic data, providing a more detailed picture of Nyiragongo’s behavior during eruptions (Barrière et al., 2023).
• Gas Emission Analysis: The chemical analysis of volcanic gases, particularly sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide, offers valuable clues about the movement of magma. Instruments like the MultiGAS system measure these emissions, which can indicate an impending eruption if levels rise sharply (Boudoire et al., 2022).
• Satellite Remote Sensing: Satellites equipped with Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) provide detailed images of Nyiragongo, even through clouds and ash plumes. These images are essential for monitoring changes in the volcano’s structure and tracking lava flows in real time, which is crucial for issuing timely warnings (Ferrentino et al., 2023).
• Ground Deformation Monitoring: Using GPS stations and InSAR technology, scientists can detect subtle changes in the ground surface caused by magma intrusion. These deformations often signal that magma is moving closer to the surface, which can precede an eruption (Lowenstern et al., 2022).
• Hydrothermal Monitoring: Changes in water properties, such as temperature and pH, can also indicate volcanic activity. Monitoring these changes in lakes and groundwater around Nyiragongo provides additional data points that help predict eruptions (GeoNet, 2024).

The most accurate predictions come from synthesizing data from all these monitoring techniques. For instance, increased seismic activity combined with rising gas emissions and ground deformation typically signals an imminent eruption. The 2021 eruption, however, revealed the limitations of these techniques—while they provided early warnings, the speed and scale of the eruption outpaced the response capabilities, leading to significant devastation (Pease, 2021).

2002 Eruption and Monitoring Improvements: On January 17, 2002, Nyiragongo erupted, causing lava flows to run across the town of Goma, which housed 600,000 inhabitants. The lava eventually reached Lake Kivu, and despite the chaotic political situation, the population managed to flee, resulting in a relatively low death toll of a few hundred people. However, thousands of houses were destroyed, and in the aftermath, the international community financed the creation of the Goma Volcanic Observatory. This facility, under the supervision of Belgian volcanologist Jacques Durieux, was established to improve monitoring and enhance early warning systems to prevent similar devastation in the future.

Three years after the eruption, residents of Goma began reconstructing their homes directly on the solidified lava flows, raising concerns about the potential dangers of future eruptions. The observatory is crucial in monitoring volcanic activity and ensuring that the town can be evacuated quickly to minimize casualties.

To better understand the advanced monitoring techniques used at Nyiragongo, including those implemented after the 2002 eruption, watch the video "Nyiragongo Volcano and the Volcanic Observatory of Goma, Congo." It provides an in-depth look at how these methods work and the challenges scientists face in predicting future eruptions.

Challenges and Lessons from the 2021 Eruption: Despite the sophisticated monitoring systems in place, the 2021 eruption demonstrated the need for faster communication and more efficient evacuation plans. The Goma Volcano Observatory (GVO) faced challenges due to outdated equipment and limited resources, which hampered real-time monitoring and the timely dissemination of warnings. This event underscores the importance of not only maintaining but also upgrading monitoring infrastructure to better protect the population in future eruptions (Mafuko Nyandwi et al., 2023b).

The May 2021 eruption of Nyiragongo was particularly destructive due to a combination of rapid lava flows, high population density in the affected areas, and inadequacies in early warning systems.

The Speed and Impact of the 2021 Eruption: The lava flows from the 2021 eruption traveled over 10 kilometers in just a few hours, reaching the city of Goma and causing widespread devastation. The speed of the lava, combined with the dense population in the area, led to the displacement of over 400,000 people and caused significant damage to infrastructure, including roads, buildings, and utilities (Sadiki et al., 2023).

As shown in the map below, the lava flows from Mount Nyiragongo moved swiftly through the town of Goma, impacting critical areas and eventually reaching Lake Kivu. The red markers on the map indicate the locations of medical facilities and key infrastructure that were either damaged or threatened by the eruption. The yellow line represents the boundaries of the lava flow during the eruption. This map underscores the severity of the impact on Goma and highlights the ongoing risk to residents who have rebuilt their homes in the paths of previous lava flows.

Additionally, the LandSat image below shows a natural color view of Nyiragongo and Goma as captured on December 23, 2020. This image provides a clear understanding of the geographical layout before the eruption, which helps to appreciate the changes brought by the volcanic activity. The contrast between the pre-eruption landscape and the areas now covered by lava flows is stark, emphasizing the destructive power of the volcano.

Predictive Challenges: Although the GVO detected signs of an impending eruption, including increased seismic activity and gas emissions, the rapid progression of the eruption outpaced the early warning systems. This resulted in a chaotic evacuation, with many residents unable to flee in time. The event highlighted the limitations of current predictive models and the need for faster, more accurate methods to anticipate and respond to volcanic activity (Barrière et al., 2022; Boudoire et al., 2022).

The Role of the Goma Volcano Observatory: The GVO’s monitoring of Nyiragongo is critical, yet the 2021 eruption exposed significant gaps in its capabilities. Limited funding, outdated equipment, and inadequate resources hindered the GVO’s ability to provide real-time data and effective warnings. Despite these challenges, the GVO’s efforts were instrumental in saving lives, but the event underscores the urgent need for enhanced international support and investment in volcanic monitoring infrastructure (Lowenstern et al., 2022; Pease, 2021).

Social and Economic Impact: The eruption not only caused immediate physical damage but also had long-term social and economic consequences. The displacement of hundreds of thousands of people disrupted livelihoods and strained the region’s already limited resources. The incident also highlighted the importance of understanding the social dynamics of evacuation—studies showed that those with prior experience or greater trust in authorities were more likely to evacuate promptly, which saved lives (Mafuko Nyandwi et al., 2023a).

Mount Nyiragongo's 2021 eruption was a powerful reminder of the constant threat it poses to the people of Goma. While advancements in monitoring have helped mitigate some risks, the eruption exposed critical gaps in preparedness and response. The aftermath demonstrated the resilience of the affected communities and the essential role of international aid. Moving forward, it is crucial to strengthen early warning systems and disaster response strategies to protect better those living in the shadow of this formidable volcano.

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