Nyiragongo Volcano Provides A Once In A Lifetime Tourist Opportunity

Of all of the volcano mountains in Rwanda, the Nyiragongo volcano is one of the most fascinating and most active one can see. This is a stratovolcano that is located in the Virunga Mountains, which are associated with the Great Rift Valle. It is most well known for its location with Rwanda, which is just west of the border.

The main crater of Nyiragongo volcano is around two km wide and does contain a lava lake. There are currently two distinct cooled lava benches within the crater walls. One of the lava benches is around 10,400 feet while a lower one is approximately 9,800 feet. And while the depth of the lava lake has varied, its maximum elevation was recorded at 10,700 feet just prior to the January 1977 eruption.

In recent years it has been one of the most voluminous lava lakes. This is precisely what has created so much tourism in the area as it is not often one gets the opportunity to see an active volcano. Hakuna Matata Tours is one place you can go to get details and information on planning a trip for yourself.

Between Nyiragongo volcano and Nyamuragira, they are actually responsible for 40% of Africa's historical volcanic eruptions. This just gives you an idea of its intense history and what kind of damage it has done in years past.

Following a major eruption in 1977, lava lakes actually begin to reform in the crater with eruption sin 1982-1983 and in 1994. Another major eruption took place on January 17, 2002 after a great deal of seismic and fumarolic activity had taken place. Lava did reach the outskirts of Goma and streamed from three spatter cones. Over 400,000 people were evacuated from the city and across the Rwandan border.

As a result of the volcano, around 45 people died from asphyxiation by carbon dioxide and buildings collapsing. Around 15% of the Goma and 4,5000 buildings were destroyed while leaving around 120,000 people homeless because of the lava and earthquakes. It has been considered the most destructive effusive eruption in modern history.

There is still a close eye on Nyiragongo volcano today as it did erupt six months after the start of the 2002 eruption. Activity is ongoing, but it is currently confined to the crater. This is where another lava lake has begun to form around 250 meters below the level of the 1994 lava lake. And while the goal is to keep the city and the people safe from any devastating eruptions again, it is a terrific touristic destination with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see a live volcano.

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Author (copitek). Submitted on Thu, 29 Jul 2010 Time: 2:21 PM

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