In today’s blog post, we pause the conversation on genocide and lack of human rights in the DRC and teach the readers about Mount Nyiragongo. The mountain is an active stratovolcano, meaning, “a conical volcano built up by many layers (strata) of hardened lava and strata”’ (Stratavolcano). Another example of a stratovolcano is Mt. Rainier in Washington State, USA. In 1977, an eruption occurred which killed 50 local villagers.
The most “famous” was in 2002, “Warnings had been given and 400,000 people were evacuated from the city across the Rwandan border into neighboring Gisenyi during the eruption. Lava covered the northern end of the runway at Goma International Airport, leaving the southern two-thirds usable, and reached Lake Kivu” (Mount_Nyiragongo). There were 245 deaths due to this eruption.
This mountain, or volcano, is known as one of the world’s most dangerous volcanoes as well as being Africa’s most active volcanoes. Nyiragongo has one of the most dangerous lava flows due to the near perfect liquefaction of the lava.
One of the most distinctive features of Nyiragongo is its persistent lava lake within its summit crater. This is one of the very few lava lakes in the world!
The volcano is situated within the Virunga National Park, which is Africa’s oldest national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park is known for its diverse flora and fauna, including the critically endangered mountain gorillas. UNESCO stands for United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization which has 1,199 World Heritage Sites worldwide.
In conclusion, while the draw in of Mount Nyiragongo is undeniable, its perilous nature makes it a destination best admired from a distance. Whether through the lens of a documentary or the pages of a book, exploring the wonders and dangers of this volcanic giant can be a thrilling experience. However, venturing too close may be a risk not worth taking.