The Nyamuragira volcano, located near the infamous Nyiragongo, has been erupting since Sunday, October 13, 2024, according to the Goma Volcanological Observatory (OVG). A fiery glow is once again visible at the summit, clearly observable from the city of Goma.
Professor Charles Balagizi, the scientific director of OVG, confirmed in a statement to local media that the eruption is characterized by an overflow of lava from the volcano’s crater, with the lava flowing down its northern, western, and southwestern flanks. Recent satellite images indicate the formation of three distinct lava flows, with the most advanced having already traveled approximately 7 kilometers.
“Since Sunday, at approximately 22:00 local time, a glow has been observed at Nyamuragira, indicating ongoing eruptive activity in the crater that is now spreading across its flanks,” stated Professor Balagizi.
This eruption occurs amid rising tensions within the OVG, as agents threaten to resume a full-scale strike if the military governor of North Kivu fails to uphold commitments made during a recent meeting. Some agents, previously willing to provide minimum services, are expressing their concerns regarding the current situation.
The local population remains deeply affected by the aftermath of the Nyiragongo eruption in May 2021, which resulted in 32 fatalities and the destruction of hundreds of homes. This latest volcanic activity coincides with the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, underscoring the urgent need for proactive disaster management in the region.
According to the Goma Volcano Observatory, the Nyamuragira volcano also erupted on May 8, 2004 at 05:48 local time and around 10:00 p.m. local time on November 27, 2006. During those occasions, the lava flows remained within the National Park boundaries and did not threaten populated areas.
The Nyamuragira volcano is the most active volcano in Africa. It is a 3056m high massive basaltic shield volcano located within the Virunga National Park, north of Lake Kivu and north-west of Nyiragongo, a neighboring volcano. Lava from Nyamuragira covers 1500km2 of the East African Rift and has come as far as 30km from the volcano, even down to Lake Kivu.
As the scars from the October 3 shipwreck continue to heal, the community now faces yet another challenge. Fortunately, authorities have indicated that the immediate danger from the Nyamuragira eruption is minimal.