VEI 1 - Nyiragongo

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  • Created by: Pho3b301
  • Created on: 10-03-17 18:40

VEI 1 - Nyiragongo

  • Democratic Republic of Congo - Ranked 150/151 on the HDI
  • Western Limb of the East-African Rift Valley 
  • Strato-volcano, Low viscosity, basaltic magma (60mph)
  • 500,000 live at the foot of the volcano 
  • Fertile farm land 

17th Jan 2002:

  • Lava ran to Goma (11 miles away)
  • Impacts were much greater due to political unrest between DRC & Rwanda
  • People came home after fleeing to Rwanda
  • Destroyed 20% of homes in Goma 
  • 3m of lava covered land 
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VEI 1 - Nyiragongo

Short term effects:

  • Warnings of the lava flows were given and allowed most people to flee their homes.
  • Plumes of toxic gases constantly coming out of the volcano
  • East of the volcano is Rwanda where there is mass genocide
  • Walk over the lava to escape Goma, by tying strips of cloth over their feet to protect them from burning.
  • Horrific burns to limbs and in some cases
  • Over one third of Goma destroyed (14 villages) 
  • Water and power supplies and many of the medical facilities including  three health centres and one hospital as well as lava covering the northern third of the airport runway.
  • 147 people were killed
  • Over 35,0000 peoplefled the area.
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VEI 1 - Nyiragongo

Long term effects:

  • Those who did flee to Rwanda found that there was a problem with food and shelter provision in the small country there was also the worry of cholera and diarrhoea due to cramped conditions
  • There was also limited drinking water; this meant that many people suffered from dysentery,
  • Medical supplies where limited because of the effects of smoke and fumes from the lava which caused eye irritation and respiration problems as well as burn treatment for those who had crossed the lava.
  • 220,000 homeless refugees crossed into Rwanda
  • Lots of refugees returned to Goma because there was little food and poor shelter in Rwanda, so they thought they might have a better chance at returning home
  • Lava made lake acidic - animal life was killed 
  • Economic Downturn - Tourists no longer visited
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VEI 1 - Nyiragongo

Responses

  • Aid agencies have given bedding, equipment to provide clean water for drinking and sanitation, blankets, tents, food, and cooking utensils
  • UN humanitarian aid
  • Aid was also given in the form of blankets, household utensils, temporary shelter, clean water, sanitation and healthcare which cost the UN over $15 million
  • Rebuilding Goma was much greater and there was high unemployment in the area as many businesses had been destroyed in the lava flows
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