The big Nyiragongo, Congo january 2002 Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in The big Nyiragongo, Congo january 2002 Deck (11)
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1
Q

Where is the Volcano located?

A
  • It lies in the Virunga Mountains in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
2
Q

How deep is the main crater?

A
  • 250m deep.
3
Q

What is the name of the valley this Volcano occurred on?

A
  • East African Rift Valley
4
Q

What percentage of Volcanic eruptions per year in the Congo?

A
  • 40% percent of Africa’s recorded VOlcanic eruptions.
5
Q

What type of lava is produced by the Nyiragongo Volcano?

A
  • It’s very fluid.
  • Known to have moved down the hill at over 90 kilometres per hour.
  • Basaltic
6
Q

Risk and Vulnerability? Why would some people still live here?

A
  • High altitude (1500m) and fertile soils encourage lots of people to farm there.
7
Q

Risk and Vulnerability? Why is the main danger of this volcano?

A
  • Poisonous carbon dioxide gas seeping from the ground around the volcano.
  • Lava flows can easily overflow
8
Q

Risk and Vulnerability? How large was the fissure that opened up?

A
  • 13 km fissure opened up on the Southern Flank of the volcano spewing lava up to two metres deep.
9
Q

What were the major effects of the volcano?

A
  • Destroyed 1 third of Goma
  • 350,000 inhabitants displaced
  • Lava covered the northern third of the runway at Goma airport
  • 147 people died.
  • Sulfurous lava entered Lake Kivu and poisoned the water.
  • Thousands of people required medical attention.
10
Q

What were the initial responses to the eruption?

A
  • Authorities issued a red alert
  • Full evacuation of the surrounding areas.
  • Two days later a UN ferry delivered humanitarian aid.
  • Camps were set up by the UN.
  • The cost of looking after the displaced people was $15 million
11
Q

What were the impacts of the eruption?

A
  • Lava flows destroyed many houses and businesses, meaning unemployment surged in the area.
  • animals and children have died due to inhaling the poisonous gases.