MOUNTAIN NYIRAGONGO ERUPTS 2021

THE  2021 ERUPTION OF MOUNTAIN NYIRAGONGO

On 22^nd May 2021, Mountain Nyiragongo an active Strato volcano erupts near Goma city.  This eruption is the 34th ever recorded. The numbers keep going up.

The eruption of the Mountain was reported to have started around 7:00 pm (CAT), this caused the death of about 32 people, over 8000 people were evacuated into Rwanda and 1000 homes were destroyed.

The lava from the eruption was estimated to have moved 1 kilometer per hour.  This speed enabled the evacuation of the people that were living around Mountain Nyiragongo.

Mountain Nyiragongo is located in central Africa in the Virunga ranges in Virunga national park. This active volcano is located 12 kilometers north of Goma town, west of Rwanda.  It elevates to the height of 3470 meters with a lave Crater Lake that is 2 kilometers.

The eruption of this mountain was predicated by ground scientists. In September 2020, the director of the Goma Volcano observatory; Katcho Karume.  Gave a report that showed a risk for the eruption of the mountain due to the increasing filling of the lave Lake.

Volcanic history

Mountain Nyiragongo has been erupting since the year of 1882. The most significant and deadly eruption was in the year 1977. On 10^th January 1977, Mountain Nyiragongo crater erupted, with lava flowing at 60 kilometers per hour. This was the fastest Lava movement ever recorded; killing over 600 people within 30 minutes.

The deadly eruption of this year made a world record due to the unique effects it caused.

The 2002 eruption was another blow to the surroundings of the Mountain, as Nyiragongo erupted again starting on 17 January 2002. Over 400, 000 people evacuated the area to the neighboring areas of Gisenyi in Rwanda.

The 2002 eruption of Mountain Nyiragongo left over 120,000 people homeless, and the death of about 245 people. It was reported that these people died out of buildings collapsing and asphyxiation from carbon dioxide. This eruption birthed other episodes after 6-months and severe earthquakes that shook the towns of Goma and Gisenyi for some time.

The recent eruption of Mountain Nyiragongo took place early in 2021 on May 22. The eruption was not forewarned by the authorities concerned. And it is said lesser damage was caused as compared to the previous eruptions.

After the recent mountain eruption of Nyiragongo, disaster befell D.R.C again on 22 May 2021, as a sticking 5.3 magnitude earthquake befell the city of Goma. This led to the order of over 10,000 people to evacuate the city of Goma and the surrounding districts.

The damages and causalities caused by the May 2021 eruption of Mountain Nyiragongo.

After the eruption, Patrick Muyaya, a government spokesman informed the public that about 15 people had died. Two burned to death from the lava heat, nine died from an accident as they tried to flee from the eruption, and 4 prisoners died as they tried to escape from the Muzenze prison in Goma.

The eruption of the Mount Nyiragongo volcano on 22 May 2021 forced more than 364,000 people to flee their homes in Goma and surrounding areas. The majority of the people have since returned, but an estimated 5,612 people (1,900 households) remain displaced

The Norwegian refugee camp reported the destruction of over 600 homes, 15 local schools, and 17 villages around the area.

Hiking experience of Mountain Nyiragongo

Mountain Nyiragongo has been a great touristic attraction despite the current eruption that has caused fear to visit this mountain.  The starting point for the hike to Mt. Nyiragongo is the Kibati ranger station. That is located 45 minutes away from Mikeno lodge and Bukima tented camp. The station is also a 30 minutes drive from Goma city.

The hike to the top of the mountain commences at exactly 10:00 am, with arrival at the starting point not beyond 9:15 am. The hike to the summit of the Mountain is a rewarding expedition with the view of the Virunga ranges, the mountain summit, and the lava lake.

The descending of the Mountain volcano commences the day after the ascending of the Mountain top. This starts from 6:30 am to avail more time to reach the starting point early enough at least by 11:00 am.

The temperatures are high at Mt. Nyiragongo.

With the visit to Virunga national park and explore the different attractions and activities located in the park.  A hike of Mountain Nyiragongo enhances the whole Congo adventure experience.

With the current eruption of Mt. Nyiragongo, the re-hike and visit of the Mountain is still uncertain. However, with time, We will keep our followers informed of any new developments.