- General information
- Interesting facts about Nyiragongo
- Nyiragongo for tourists
The location of the Nyiragongo volcano (an active stratovolcano) is the African mountains Virunga (the territory of the national park of the same name; located 20 km north of Lake Kivu and the city of Goma located on its shore) in the Congo.
General information
Since 1882, according to documentary data, Nyiragongo (its height is more than 3400 m) erupted 34 times, and at times its volcanic activity lasted for several years. One of the strong eruptions dates back to 1977 - then the "fiery" streams claimed the lives of hundreds of people. And the eruption of 2002, when a lake of lava rose to the edge of the crater, destroyed most of the city of Goma, located in the vicinity of the volcano. Fortunately, the authorities managed to evacuate 40,000 people across the Rwandan border in advance to the city of Gisenyi adjacent to Goma. Nevertheless, there were casualties - about 150 people died under the ruins of destroyed buildings and from the lethal mixture of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere.
Typically, Nyiragongo lava is very liquid and fluid, due to the quartz it contains. In this regard, lava flows flowing down from the slopes can “develop” a speed of up to 100 km / h. The width of the main crater (a lake of lava is formed in it, which is located at an elevation of 2,700 m) Nyiragongo is 2 km, and the depth is 250 m.
The danger is not only Nyiragongo: in the event of a strong shake-up (eruption), Lake Kivu can release the deposits of methane and carbon dioxide stored in its depths, then Gomu will cover with a deadly cloud, not giving the inhabitants of this city a chance for salvation.
Interesting facts about Nyiragongo
The underground lava flows of Nyiragongo, more precisely, their structure, resemble a water supply system - the volcano has a main channel and numerous branches (through which lava reaches the surface).
Those living in the city of Goma are confident that Nyiragongo is erupted by them as punishment for their sins. In addition, their confidence applies to the fact that in the past, eruptions were avoided due to the fact that the volcano was sacrificed for girls-brides. This custom actually existed, but it was a bloodless (spiritual / grateful) sacrifice. To "appease" Nyiragongo, the head of one of the families had to announce that his eldest daughter was the volcano's bride (she could not leave her father's house and marry - breaking the oath would anger the spirit of the volcano).
Nyiragongo for tourists
The ascent to the top of Nyiragongo takes about 6 hours - everyone will have the opportunity to admire the lake with red-hot lava in the dark (the area is illuminated by blazing magma), since tourists will be offered to spend the night in houses at the top of the volcano. But before you climb, you need to take care of the following: it is advisable to take warm clothes with you (it is rather cold upstairs), a sleeping bag and at least 3 liters of water; it is important to wear trekking shoes during the hike (regular sneakers will not work).
It is worth taking into account that you need to obtain permission to climb from the office of the national park (it will cost $ 200). If you wish, you can hire a guide in Goma who will help you “get” a permit. He will also rent sleeping bags and tents, and will also take you to the foot of the volcano in a jeep, and will suggest several candidates for porters and cooks (if necessary). Such a pleasure will cost $ 150-200 (the price depends on the size of the group).
For those who are interested in meeting mountain gorillas, special hikes are organized in Virunga Park, which can last about 7-8 hours (only a little more than 30 tourists can visit gorillas a day), since it all depends on the weather and where gorillas will concentrate on one day or another. It is worth considering that in the presence of gorillas it is forbidden to eat and drink, as well as to use a flash (for 1-hour communication with primates, you will be asked to pay $ 400).
It is worth noting that in Virunga Park you will be able to see the gray forest pigeon, crested eagle, flamingo, African long-tailed hawk, blue-headed dove, Fraser's owl and other birds, as well as elephants, rhinos, giraffes and other animals.
In the park, in addition to Nyiragongo, there is the Nyamlagira volcano (it is 25-30 km away from Lake Kivu), which has erupted at least 35 times since 1882. Expeditions are often organized to the Nyamlagira volcano in order to monitor it (one of them confirmed the presence of a lava lake in its crater). He last threw out a fire fountain in 2011. After a while, the Congo authorities and the staff of Virunga Park opened access to Nyamlagira to everyone, so that they could visit the site of the volcanic eruption, staying in a tent camp, which, although quite close to the foot of Nyamlagir, is at the same time in a safe zone. An excursion here from Goma costs $ 300 (tourists will be given tents and rugs, but food, water, sleeping bags and protection from the rain should be taken care of on their own).
