Volcano Journal Entry
Nyamuragira Volcano Erupts (May 13, 2004)
Enhanced-color space radar view of Nyamuragira volcano shows past lava flows in blue and purple. NASA/JPL.
Nyamuragira volcano in the Democratic Republic of Congo is erupting again. Observers flying over the volcano saw an active lava lake that had formed in the volcano's caldera. The lake bubbled with four strong lava fountains and lava poured from several vents. Meanwhile, strong volcanic tremors shook the mountain. But the lava does not as yet threaten any populated areas.
Last year, Nyamuragira's twin volcano Nyiragongo showered the nearby town of Goma with ash. The two volcanoes straddle the border between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda.
Nyamuragira's last eruption was in July 2002 when it spewed lava, ash, steam and sulfur dioxide high into the atmosphere. In 1994, the volcano spat out ash and rivers of lava that reached 12 miles (20 kilometers) from its summit. About 40 eruptions have been recorded since the middle of the 19th century.
The two volcanoes belong to a chain of volcanoes forming part of the East African Rift, where rising magma steadily pushes slabs of Earth's crust apart. As the spreading continues, the rift valleys will get deeper and longer. Eventually, they may fill with ocean water and East Africa will separate from the African mainland.
