Significant volume of gas plume and volcanic material detected at Nyamulagira, DR Congo
The Toulouse VAAC is reporting the detection of a significant volume of gas and volcanic material over Nyamulagira Volcano in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, starting at approximately 11:15 UTC on October 25, 2024. Volcanic ash cloud was observed rising to 4 km (13 000 feet) above sea level at 13:00 UTC. As a result the Aviation Color Code was raised to Red.
Red alert issued as effusive eruption continues at Nyamulagira on October 25, 2024. Image credit: IGIHE
- The volcano, located about 25 km (15 miles) north of Lake Kivu, has shown continuous lava effusion and strong seismic activity since early 2024.
- The Observatoire Volcanologique de Goma (OVG) and the Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) in Toulouse are closely monitoring the situation and issuing alerts to affected communities and aviation authorities.
On October 25, the VAAC in Toulouse elevated the Aviation Color Code for Nyamulagira Volcano to Red, signifying severe potential risks to aviation in Central Africa due to an ongoing effusive eruption, accompanied by significant gas plume and volcanic products, currently confined to central crater.
Between 13:00 UTC and 15:00 UTC on October 25, a volcanic ash cloud was observed rising to 4 km (13 000) a.s.l., promoting the Toulouse VAAC to raise the Aviation Color Code to Red.
In recent months, Nyamulagira’s activity has been marked by continuous lava effusion, notably from the northern and western flanks.
The Observatoire Volcanologique de Goma (OVG) reported in October that three active lava flows extended up to 7 km (4 miles) from the crater rim, with strong seismicity and a visible glow indicating robust volcanic activity.
On October 23, 2024, the TROPOMI satellite detected an elevated sulfur dioxide (SO2) concentration of 4.29 Dobson Units (DU), located approximately 383.2 km (238 miles) from Nyamulagira.
Earlier weekly reports reveal that since March 2024, frequent satellite observations have detected thermal anomalies and advancing lava flows.
Notably, during July, lava flows extended more than 5 km (3 miles) from the northern crater rim, while in September, satellite images showed a new lava branch moving northwest.
The volcano’s activity since early 2024 has included minor advancement of lava flows, frequent thermal anomalies, and gas emissions, indicating sustained magma movement within the conduit system.
Nyamulagira, Africa’s most active volcano, is a high-potassium basaltic shield volcano located around 25 km (15 miles) north of Lake Kivu and approximately 13 km (8 miles) northwest of Nyiragongo.
The summit has a 2 x 2.3 km (1.2 x 1.4 miles) caldera, with steep walls reaching up to 100 m (328 miles) in height.
Eruptions have been documented both in this summit caldera and across various fissures and cinder cones along the volcano’s flanks. Historically, the summit hosted an active lava lake until 1938, when it drained during a major eruption on the flank.
Recent lava flows have extended down the flanks of Nyamulagira, reaching as far as Lake Kivu and covering over 1 500 km2 (580 miles2) along the western branch of the East African Rift.
This extensive volcanic activity has a significant impact on the region, and the volcano itself is situated within the Virunga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
OVG will continue to monitor the eruption closely, with further advisories expected soon to inform affected communities and authorities.
The eruption alert was issued by the Observatoire Volcanologique de Goma (OVG), which monitors volcanic activity in the region, and the Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) in Toulouse.
Nearby residents, travelers, and aviation authorities are all immediately affected, as VAAC’s warning highlighted probable impediments to air travel around the eruption zone.
References:
1 Nyamulagira – GVP – Accessed October 25, 2024
2 Nyamulagira – OVG – Accessed October 25, 2024
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