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From: Celestin Mahinda <mkasereka@xxxxxxxx>
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REPUBLIQUE DEMOCRATIQUE DU CONGO
CENTRE DE RECHERCHE EN SCIENCES NATURELLES (CRSN)
DEPARTEMENT DE GEOPHYSIQUE/LWIRO.
OBSERVATOIRE VOLCANOLOGIQUE DE GOMA
e-mail : ovggomma@xxxxxxxx, Tél : 0998611805,
0997747150
SYNTHESIS REPORT ON THE ACTIVITY OF THE VOLCANOES
NYAMULAGIRA AND NYIRAGONGO
I. INTRODUCTION
Last seven months, the Goma Volcano Observatory was
not able to produce the scientific reports and weekly
bulletins on the activity of the Nyamulagira and
Nyiragongo volcanoes due to the lack of the financial
and material supports.
On February 3, 2008, an earthquake of magnitude 6.0 on
the Richter scale occured in the region of Bukavu.
This earthquake shaked the city of Goma and all the
Virunga region.
Shall we remember that two flank eruptions of
Nyiragongo in 1977 and in 2002 had been preceded
respectively by the earthquake of Ngweshe (150 km to
the South West) and the lake Edouard (100 km to the
North East of this volcano).
For this reason, the earthquake on February 3, 2008
made a maximum alert on the Nyiragongo lava lake
activity.
By the logistical and financial support of the
Governor of the North Kivu Province, the security
covered by the soldiers of MONUC and the Rangers of
the ICCN, we present you the present scientific
summary report of the Virunga active volcanoes
(annex:detailed reports)
II. NYIRAGONGO VOLCANO (Reference: Rusayo seismic
station)
Since February 3, 2008, the Nyiragongo volcanic
activity has been characterized by:
- Instantaneous rising between 90 and 100 m of the
level of lava lake in the crater.
- An important gas plume rich in dusts and an abundant
night red glow.
b. The presence of magmatic earthquakes (long period)
between 10 and 20 km of depth feeding magma chamber
from the deep layers.
c. The measurements of temperature, distance and
gases along the south fissures of the Nyiragongo don't
accuse any direct threat on the inhabited zones.
III. VOLCANO NYAMULAGIRA (Reference: Luboga seismic
station)
Since the earthquake of February 3, 2008, the data
from Luboga seismic station show an intensive magmatic
activity in the field of this volcano.
The magmatic earthquakes "C-type" increase from the
simple to the double every week (ref. Graphic). They
are localized at the North, on the main fissure that
joins it to the Nyiragongo and toward the November
2006 eruptive site. An intensive fumaroles activity
is observed in its central crater.
IV. CONCLUSION
The visual and instrumental observations of the
volcanic activity of Nyamulagira and Nyiragongo show a
permanent follow-up.
The observations of this seismic activity of the
November 27, 2006 eruptive site are very important in
order to avoid any unpleasant surprise.
The south fissures of the Nyiragongo and the activity
of the lava lake in its crater must be our main duty.
Goma, March 11, 2008.
For the team of the Volcanologists of the CRSN,
The Chief of the Department of Geophysics
Célestin KASEREKA MAHINDA
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