Hazards - Local Study Mt Nyiragongo

Question 1

Mount Nyiragongo Eruption 2002?

Answer 1

• Volcano is on a divergent plate boundary (East African ridge), last erupted in 2002
• Primary Impacts = 150 killed, 400,000 evacuated and 15% of Goma was destroyed e.g. Airport
• Secondary Impacts = many of the 400,000 evacuated fled to Rwanda but caused overpopulation in refugee camps causing poor sanitation e.g. Cholera, solid volcanic rock meant graves couldn’t be built impacting sanitation.
• ST Response = evacuation to Rwanda, UN provided 260 tonnes of food within 1 week + Oxfam sent 33 tonnes of water purification aid
• LT = UN peacekeepers helped rebuild, improved volcanic monitoring e.g. seismometers, Military patrolled to prevent looting.
• Adaption = since 2002 income for agriculture has doubled due to nutrient rich soil.