Nyamuragira volcano (DRCongo): new lava lake

For the first time in 75 years, a new lava lake appeared on some of Africa's most active stratovolcanoes: Mount Nyamuragira in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The neighbouring volcanoes of Nyamugira and Nyiragongo are both part of the Virunga volcanic chain in the East African Rift, situated along DR Congo's border with Rwanda. They are famous as two of the few volcanoes on Earth that have sustained lava lakes for several decades. The previous lava lake at Nyamuragira emptied in 1938 as its lava poured out of the summit and flowed more than 30 kilometres down to Lake Kivu. The new lava lake seems to have formed at the bottom of the 500 m deep crater that was left behind by this 1938 lava flood. ... Read all

It is uncertain whether the eruption at Nyamuragira still continues, i.e. whether the new lava lake detected in July still exists. Read all