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Nyamuragira Volcano - John Seach
(Nyamulagira)
Democratic Republic of Congo
1.408 S, 29.20 E
summit elevation 3056 m
shield volcano
Nyamuragira is the most active volcano in Africa. The summit contains a caldera 2 km in diameter and 100 m deep. The volcano has a base diameter of about 20 km and is almost perfectly symmetrical.
Nyamuragira magmas have very low viscosity because they have a very low silica content.
The slopes are abour 10-20 degrees near the summit, reducing to 3 degrees near the base.
Nyamuragira differs from the other volcanoes in the Virunga range because of its shield volcano structure. The main cone is well preserved with a diameter of 15 km. Many parasitic cones are visible on the flanks of the volcano.
19th April 2009 Update
Seismic activity has increased near Nyamuragira volcano in the Democratic Republic of Congo. According to scientists at Goma Volcano Observatory, Nyamuragira volcano will be in eruption in the next two or three months.
Eruptions of Nyamuragira volcano
Between 1865 and 2004 there have been 40 confirmed eruptions of Nyamuragira volcano, with an average of 3.5 years between eruptions. Since 1980 there has been an average of one eruption every two years.
1989 Eruption
In 1989 an eruption at Nyamuragira volcano began at the summit and later changed to a flank eruption.
Between 1976 and 1989, seven Hawaiian-type eruptions occurred. The eruptions produced fluid lava flows wich sometimes extended 20 km. Small scoria or spatter cones were formed around the vent. Most of the eruptions occurred on the flank of the volcano.
1986 Eruption
Kitazungurwa eruption started on 16th July 1986, on the southern flank of Nyamuragira volcano and lasted 36 days. A 1 km wide, 2 m high lava flow traveled south. The total volume of erupted products is estimated to be 50 million cubic m. During the 1986 eruption, the chemical composition of the erupted products became more mafic.
Nyamuragira Volcano Eruptions
2006, 2004, 2002, 2001, 1998, 1996, 1994, 1991-93, 1989, 1987-88, 1986, 1984, 1981-82, 1980, 1976-77, 1971, 1967, 1958, 1957, 1956, 1954, 1951-52, 1951, 1948, 1938-40, 1921-38, 1920, 1912-13, 1909, 1908, 1907, 1907, 1906?, 1905, 1904, 1902, 1901, 1899, 1896, 1894, 1882, 1865.