Volcano erupts in Congo

Democratic Republic of the Congo...

Mount Nyiragongo, one of the world's most active volcanoes, erupted on Saturday in North Kivu Province, eastern DRC. Panicked residents of Goma are fleeing carrying their belongings. Vulcanologists say the lava does not appear to be flowing toward the high population area, even though Goma (pop. 2 million) is eight miles due south of the volcano. Residents fear another inundation of lava, the last of which destroyed much of the city in 2002, killing at least 250 people, mostly due to carbon dioxide poisoning. [Source] The airport was seriously disabled at that time. Another source states that residents are advised to evacuate as soon as possible, as the lava is now flowing toward the airport. [Source]


Photo: Aljazeera [Olivia Acland/Reuters

A United Nations source said a reconnaissance flight by a U.N. helicopter appeared to show the lava was not flowing toward Goma or any major population centers. [....] Volcanologists at the Goma Volcano Observatory (OVG), which monitors Nyiragongo, have struggled to make basic checks since the World Bank cut funding amid embezzlement allegations. [Source] 
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Mt. Nyiragongo 2004 best img.kmz (859 B) 
High-res image. You might have to click twice, as I was not able to move the cursor out of the Quote frame. 

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A free cursor for you: _

syzygy ( :

Thanks for report Diane!

Glad to see you back again! Hope, all is okay with you... if we do not consider that naughty cursor! ( ;

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Try switch to code- from preview mode as editing your post and you'll see, then can get that cheeky cursor out of the quote-frame! ( ;

UPDATE: The lava seems to have stopped in a populated area on the outskirts of Goma. People are starting to go back home to assess the damage. However, there is no government protocol - at least not one that is being enforced - so people are putting themselves in serious danger. Also, the following video states that because the vulcanologist's studies no longer have funding (and might not even be in the area, anymore), they are not able to give advice or warnings. There is a large UN troop presence in Goma, so one hopes that they are willing to help out. Government assistance would be a miracle.

Today, Sunday:



(syzygy - tried what I think you were talking about. It didn't work.)