Volcanic Eruption - Mt Nyiragongo

• Cause:

  17 January 2002.

  Fissures opened on southern side of volcano.

  3 steams of lava from lake drained through fissure.

  Reached speed of 60km/h - lava
• Social Impacts:

  12,500 homes destroyed.

  400,000 people evacuated.

  People moved to overcrowded refugee camps.

  Lava took a long time to cool and killed people.

  Cholera spread due to lack of sanitation.

  50 people killed when fuel exploded

  14 nearby villages destroyed.
• Economic Impacts:

  Lava covered 15% of Goma.

  Destroyed 30% of the city.

  In 1 month 350,000 people were dependent on aid.

  People lost businesses and jobs.

  Most people could not afford to rebuild houses.
• Environmental risks:

  Poisonous gas caused acid rain.