Between
1894 and 1977 the crater contained an active lava lake. On 10 January
1977, the crater walls fractured, and the lava lake drained in less than
an hour. The lava flowed down the flanks of the volcano at speeds of up
to 60 miles per hour on the upper slopes, overwhelming villages and
killing at least 70 people. Some reports quote much higher figures of up
to several thousand people. The hazards posed by eruptions like this
are unique to Nyiragongo. Nowhere else in the world does such a
steep-sided stratovolcano contain a lake of such fluid lava.
Nyiragongo's proximity to heavily populated areas increases its
potential for causing a natural disaster. The 1977 eruption raised
awareness of the unique dangers posed by Nyiragongo, and because of this
it was designated a Decade Volcano, worthy of particular study, in
1991.
Six months after the start of the 2002 eruption, Nyiragongo volcano erupted again. Activity at Nyiragongo is ongoing, but currently confined to the crater, where another lava lake has formed about 250 metres below the level of the 1994 lava lake.
Six months after the start of the 2002 eruption, Nyiragongo volcano erupted again. Activity at Nyiragongo is ongoing, but currently confined to the crater, where another lava lake has formed about 250 metres below the level of the 1994 lava lake.
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