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Protecting the Mountain Gorillas of Virunga
Massive Volcanic Eruption in the National Park this morning
At 03.45 this morning, we all woke to a massive eruption on Mt Nyamulagira, a volcano just across from our headquarters at Rumangabo station, about 15 kilometres to the west. The eruption is from quite high up on the volcano, and it looks like it’s a big one.
We watched it quite anxiously to see which direction the lava flow would take. It will not be heading our way, which is a relief for us. It looks like it is heading towards the south west. At the moment it is well contained in the national park, but seems to be heading towards the Sake area, which is quite a big town near Goma. At the moment it is impossible to assess the risk very accurately, but the chances of it reaching very populated areas are remote.
We are always filled with dread when there is an eruption in the park. In January 2002, there was an eruption that caused a massive lava flow that went straight through the middle of Goma town, causing huge suffering to hundreds of thousands of people. The last eruption on Nyamulagira was in 2006, but that one was relatively small and flowed towards the north west, with no damage to human settlements.
I am about travel to Sake to assess the risk from there, and will update you later on. Below are the pictures that we have been taking since 3.45 this morning.
At 3.45am from our park headquarters, first signs of a major eruption
4.50 am
05.14am
06.30am
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15 Responses to “Massive Volcanic Eruption in the National Park this morning”
Amazing. I’ve always wanted to see a volcanic eruption, but of course, don’t want anyone there getting hurt!
I suppose living in such a volcanic area you have to be prepared for these things, thank goodness the lava is flowing the other way.
Wonderful pictures. I’ve been waiting for the volcano in the Phillipines to erupt, that will be spectacular when it does.
Stay safe!
Thank God our mountain gorillas are not in any danger. My heart is concerned for the other wildlife and people who live nearby. Please keep us updated (as I know you will).
I will be praying the people and wildlife in the area stay safe. Unfortunately, mother nature cannot be stopped when she decides to make herself known. Hopefully the lava will not flow into areas with people. These people have been through enough. They desperately need a break.
Hello!
I am wondering if you can please send me an e-mail. I want to help out in some way but don’t know what the best way might be. I have been fascinated with Virunga since I was 8 years old (I am now 38!) and read Gorillas in the Mist….I am a Porfessor of Environmental Studies now and would like to get involved with your organization.
Sincerely,
Cathy
Hello Innocent! In case you haven’t seen it, you were quoted on BBC:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8437742.stm
I hope the news from Sake will be good. Take care, Iris.
Please keep away from Lake Kivu until things settle down. Kivu is an “exploding lake” and tremors could cause the vast amounts of methane and carbon dioxide (CO2) to bubble to the surface and smother life around the lake. See:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Kivu
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limnic_eruption
Innocent also quoted by CNN:
http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/africa/01/02/congo.volcano/
Happy New Year! I wish Gorilla.cd a vey prosperous 2010!
~Jim
Thanks for the report and photos! I just heard about the explosion and am relieved to know that your part of the slopes are lava free. I hope that you find not too much damage or cause for alarm in your travels. it’s a bit unnerving to live so close to such great explosive power! Best of everything…
[...] Innocent, Director of the southern sector of the Virunga National Park says the chances of the lava … . [...]
I was in Rwanda from 76-81 and there was a volcanic eruption not long before my arrival. Depending on the depth of the lava it is amazing how quickly plants in that area burrow through again.
Thanks everyone for all your comments. Innocent has spent the last few days coordinating the monitoring effort, hence his silence on the blog. I have just spoken to him and he has been traveling around the area affected or potentially affected by the eruption of Nyamulagira. As I write, 10.20am local time, the volcano is still erupting and the lava flow is heading towards Rusayo. This is west of Goma and east of Sake, and directly south of the erupting volcano. The city of Goma is unlikely to be affected, as there is another active volcano (the Nyiragongo) between the city and the Nyamulagira. Will keep you posted.
Glad to know that all’s well on your side! A local TV station in Nairobi had aired that primates had been killed as a result of the eruption.
Brings back memories from the eruption in 2002 when we had to flee to Ruhengeri. Our house and offices all gone and under the lava. Our stuff burned or shuffled out into Lake Kivu. But worst was the sufferings of those who lost all, even family members. My thoughts go to you all and will pray for the people of Sake, Goma and surroundings. Hope the gorillas survive too. Hope to get back again soon. This time for photos. Good luck with your important surveying and monitoring of what is possible and actions needed.
Gosh Inger. I cannot imagine. I was actually with someone yesterday who was recounting how she and her family had to flee also to Ruhengeri just before the lava went right into their house. Amazing.
Just a quick update, the lava is still flowing. It actually flowed further yesterday than it had in the previous 2 days, still heading toward Rusayo/Mugunga (in between Goma and Sake). In the last 24 hours it has flowed over 3km. Monitoring still going on…
Spewing of the earth’s internal fire …….luckily not too huge. This is extant evidence of our planet’s heat, one reason in the labyrinth of reasons for ‘global warming’, not Homo sapien CO2 emmissions?
Take care all of you near the heat!
Tamsin
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