DR Congo's Nyamulagira volcano erupting – reports
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
Nyamulagira Volcano in eastern DR Congo has been erupting since October 12. Courtesy

Nyamulagira volcano, located in eastern DR Congo, has been erupting since Saturday, October 12, sources with the Goma Volcanological Observatory (OVG) confirmed late Monday, Xinhua reports.

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The eruption consists of an overflow of lava from its crater and the lava has been pouring on the northern, western and southwestern flanks, said Charles Balagizi, scientific director of the OVG.

Nyamulagira, also known as Nyamuragira, is an active shield volcano in the Virunga Mountains of DR Congo, situated about 25 kilometres north of Lake Kivu.

The latest satellite images showed that three lava flows have been formed on the flanks, with the most advanced flow having travelled about 7 km, according to him.

"A fiery glow is visible at the summit of the Nyamulagira volcano, observed from the city of Goma," the capital of North Kivu province, Balagizi told the Congolese Press Agency, the official outlet of the DRC, late Monday.

The Congolese authorities have not reacted to the eruption.

Located in the middle of Virunga National Park, Nyamuragira volcano is considered one of the most active volcanoes in Africa.

Goma is home to two active volcanoes, Nyamulagira and Nyiragongo. The Nyiragongo volcano erupted in May 2021, killing at least 32 people.

According to the OVG, Nyamulagira last erupted on March 14, 2023.

Nyamulagira's activity is normally far from threatening the capital of North Kivu. Its previous eruptions have been directed into Virunga National Park or toward nearby roads, according to local media.