Vulcanicity: Mount Nyraigongo, Goma 2002 (LIC)

Question 1

Introduction- Events

Answer 1

-On January 17th 2002, after several months of increased seismic and fumarolic activity, the volcano erupted on a large scale.
-A 13km large fissure opened, allowing magma to rise through the volcano and out onto the steep hillsides as voluminous lava flows, where they gathered pace, travelling at up to 40 miles per hour, towards the provincial capital of Goma.
-Lava streamed through the town towards lake Kiyu, prompting fears of contaminants and toxins within the lava irreversibly damaging the ecosystem which the locals wrote so reliant on as a source of income.

Question 2

Location/background

Answer 2

-Mount Nyraigongo is an active stratovolcano of height 3,470m, located on the Albertine Rift border between eastern DRC (Democratic People’s Republic of Congo) and Rwanda, in central Africa, 20km north of the border town Goma.
-Rwanda and DRC are some of the poorest LICs in the world, both engaged in the aftermath of civil unrest.
-Mount nyraigongo has been volcanically active since the first recorded activity in 1882- and has erupted at least 34 times since.

Question 3

Mount Nyiragongo has the largest_______of any active volcano in the world

Answer 3

Mount Nyiragongo has the largest known lava-lake of any active volcano in the world, which contributes to ferocity when erupting.

Question 4

Primary impacts of the 2002 eruption of Mount Nyiragongo

Answer 4

-An estimated 250 people lost their lives in the disaster, principally from asphyxiation, with toxic gases in the air.
-Approximately 5000 buildings or 15% of the town of Goma was destroyed.
-Up to 400,000 people were forced to move across the border to overcrowded temporary shelters in Rwanda

Question 5

Secondary impacts of the 2002 erruption of Mount Nyiragongo

Answer 5

-Poisonous gases caused acid rain, which affected farmland and cattle. Many farmers lost income
-Carbon dioxide levels are still a serious and deadly issue, known as Mazuku in areas where winds do not disperse the gases
-One month after the disaster, 350,000 still dependent on aid

Question 6

Government responses

Answer 6

-Notably, the management of the disaster was very poor, little advanced warnings or emergency protocols were in place, and as many LICs, few people were educated on the dangers of toxic gases.
-Many locals had to work themselves to fund reconstruction efforts, as the government was notoriously corrupt, so little aid was actually available.

Question 7

NGO/other countries responses

Answer 7

-10 aid agencies and NGOs helped out with the relief efforts, funding and Rwandan Authorities sent in armed forces to help clear debris.
-US provided $7.5m direct aid for reconstruction efforts.