By: Ng Yu En (25) 1 Unity
Mount Nyamurgira (a shield volcano) located at Virunga Mountains in Kigali; deep inside Democratic Republic of Congo (1°24’30”S 29°20E) has recently erupted on the 2nd January 2010. This was the 35th eruption of this active volcano since 1882.
This volcanic eruption was found most likely caused by the Eurasian plate converging with the African plate. However, it has not raised any concerns with the government on the Rwandan side. Lava from the eruption had flowed towards Virunga National Park. It spewed 10 kilometers away towards Sake-Goma road in the town of Sake. The affected area is an important source of fresh food from Goma. Reports from the area also indicated that the volcanic eruption has threatened the survival of rare chimpanzees and more wildlife species found in the National Park.
Mount Nyamurgira (a shield volcano) located at Virunga Mountains in Kigali; deep inside Democratic Republic of Congo (1°24’30”S 29°20E) has recently erupted on the 2nd January 2010. This was the 35th eruption of this active volcano since 1882.
This volcanic eruption was found most likely caused by the Eurasian plate converging with the African plate. However, it has not raised any concerns with the government on the Rwandan side. Lava from the eruption had flowed towards Virunga National Park. It spewed 10 kilometers away towards Sake-Goma road in the town of Sake. The affected area is an important source of fresh food from Goma. Reports from the area also indicated that the volcanic eruption has threatened the survival of rare chimpanzees and more wildlife species found in the National Park.
As the lava movement increased two days after the disaster, reports from the health centers indicated that there was a noticeable increase in cases of eye diseases and diarrhoea. Animals and crops also died to the dismay of the Congolese. There were reported deaths of many, even after 300 000 people evacuated and fled. Approximately 120 000 survivors were left homeless as nearly 20% of the surface of the town was covered in lava. Residents were afraid of what was going to happen to them.
The situation has been monitored by the government as the lava flowed. The Congolese Red Cross and other agencies have set up a crisis management team. They evaluated the situation around and found the situation stabilised. There was insecurity that affected works in observatories. Now, only two weekly flights would be sent to assess the intensity of the volcano.
I feel very upset about this disaster and really sympathised those who lost their families and friends. I do hope that the government would response more promptly quickly. A seismometer has been created to predict eruptions. I hope that over time, it will be improved to predict the exact date and location of the upcoming eruptions.
Bibliography:
Websites:
The situation has been monitored by the government as the lava flowed. The Congolese Red Cross and other agencies have set up a crisis management team. They evaluated the situation around and found the situation stabilised. There was insecurity that affected works in observatories. Now, only two weekly flights would be sent to assess the intensity of the volcano.
I feel very upset about this disaster and really sympathised those who lost their families and friends. I do hope that the government would response more promptly quickly. A seismometer has been created to predict eruptions. I hope that over time, it will be improved to predict the exact date and location of the upcoming eruptions.
Bibliography:
Websites:
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=88115
http://allafrica.com/stories/201001040003.html
http://www.library.thinkquest.org/J003007/Disasters2/volcano/predicting/predict.htm
http://allafrica.com/stories/201001040003.html
http://www.library.thinkquest.org/J003007/Disasters2/volcano/predicting/predict.htm