Mount Nyiragongo erupts in Eastern DR Congo

Government of Democratic Republic of Congo has launched an evacuation plan for “eastern city of Goma” after volcano Mount Nyiragongo erupted.

Highlights

Mount Nyiragongo volcano is located 10 km from Goma. After eruption, it has led to thousands of residents very frightened. So, they are now fleeing towards Rwanda in east.

Background

This volcano was last erupted in 2002 and killed 250 people. It had left 1.2 lakh people homeless.

About Mount Nyiragongo

It is one of the world’s most active and dangerous volcanoes. It has an elevation of 3,470 m in Virunga Mountains which are associated with Albertine Rift. Volcano is located inside Virunga National Park, in Democratic Republic of the Congo. Main crater of volcano is about two kilometres wide and is comprises of lava lake. The crater presently has two distinct cooled lava benches within the crater walls – one at about 3,175 m (10,417 ft) and a lower one at about 2,975 m (9,760 ft). Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira are together responsible for 40 percent of historical volcanic eruptions in Africa.

Virunga National Park

This National park is located in Albertine Rift Valley in eastern part of Democratic Republic of the Congo. It was opened in 1925. This is the first protected areas in Africa. It has been listed in List of World Heritage in Danger since 1994.

Month: Current Affairs - May, 2021