Mount Nyiragongo

Deep under this part of Africa, hot melted rock pushes up.

It comes out at volcanoes like Nyiragongo. Eruption after eruption piled up layers of lava, and a tall, steep volcano grew.

Nyiragongo belongs to a group of volcanoes that scientists call the Albertine Rift Volcanic Province, along with neighbors such as Nyamuragira. It is built on top of two older volcanoes, Baruta and Shaheru.

Nyiragongo is a stratovolcano, a steep cone built up by eruption after eruption. Its lava is unusual: GVP describes it as extremely fluid, or runny, and its lava flows have spread long distances down the mountain's sides. About 100 small cones dot its slopes, many of them buried under later lava flows.

GVP assigns Nyiragongo to the Albertine Rift Volcanic Province. It is built over the remains of two older stratovolcanoes, Baruta and Shaheru, and its flanks carry about 100 parasitic cones along radial fissures and a northeast-southwest alignment extending to Lake Kivu. Many cones are buried by voluminous lava flows that extend long distances down the flanks.

The lavas are foiditic, an unusual, silica-poor rock type, and GVP describes the 1977 flows as extremely fluid. The JAXA satellite radar analysis of the 2021 eruption showed ground spreading east-west and displacement of more than a meter, a typical pattern of magma intruding beneath the surface.

Sometimes the lava lake drains out of cracks in the side of the volcano.

The runny lava flows down the mountain. Scientists watch closely and warn people so they can move to safety.

In 1977, 2002 and 2021, Nyiragongo's lava escaped down its sides in large flank eruptions. In 1977, the lava lake drained through cracks in the flanks, and its extremely runny lava flowed down the mountain. In 2002, lava flows reached the city of Goma and damaged large parts of it.

In May 2021, the volcano erupted again. Japan's space agency, JAXA, used satellites to watch the lava flow about 13 kilometers toward Goma, splitting in two on the way. The lava reached homes on the edge of the city, though Britannica says it stopped short of the city limits.

GVP summarizes the volcano's destructive flank eruptions: in 1977 the long-lived lava lake drained catastrophically through the outer flanks, sending extremely fluid flows downslope; in January 2002 lava flows inundated portions of Goma, which Britannica describes as largely destroyed. In May 2021 a flank eruption sent lava south; JAXA's night-time thermal image on 23 May showed it about 13 km from the volcano, split into two branches, and JAXA reports that it reached residential areas and caused severe damage, while Britannica says it stopped short of Goma's city limits.

Radar interferometry (ALOS-2) recorded more than 1 m of ground displacement associated with magma intrusion. Monitoring by the OVG, satellite agencies and international partners underpins warnings for the communities around the volcano.

Lots of people live near Nyiragongo, in the city of Goma.

Scientists at a volcano observatory watch the mountain every day. Plants grow in some of the old craters.

Nyiragongo stands inside Virunga National Park, a protected area and World Heritage Site. Britannica notes that some of the older craters on the mountain are known for their plant life.

The big city of Goma lies at the volcano's foot, beside Lake Kivu. Scientists at the Goma Volcano Observatory, together with satellite teams around the world, keep watch on the lava lake, the gases and the ground, so they can warn people if the volcano becomes dangerous.

Nyiragongo lies within Virunga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage property (GVP), and Britannica notes that some of its older craters are known for their plant life. Its neighbors in the Virunga Mountains include the low shield volcano Nyamuragira.

The proximity of Goma, about 15 km to the south (GVP), makes monitoring essential. The Observatoire Volcanologique de Goma reports gas and seismic activity, while satellite data from MODIS (via MIROVA), Sentinel-1 and -2 and Japan's ALOS-2 and GCOM-C track heat, ground deformation and lava flows, as the 2021 response showed.

Nyiragongo is an active volcano.

Never go near it without permission. Always listen to the scientists and park rangers.

Nyiragongo is an active volcano with a lava lake that can change quickly. It gives off gases such as sulfur dioxide, and its runny lava poured down its sides in large flank eruptions in 1977, 2002 and 2021.

The volcano lies inside Virunga National Park, so any visit must follow the park's rules and its rangers. Always check the latest warnings from the Goma Volcano Observatory and official travel advice for the area before planning a trip.

GVP lists lava-lake activity continuing into 2026, with variable thermal output and sulfur dioxide emissions reported by the OVG; flank eruptions in 1977, 2002 and 2021 show how quickly very fluid lava can travel. Any approach to the crater must be authorized by Virunga National Park and should follow OVG alerts.

Visitors should also consult current official travel advice for eastern DR Congo before planning a visit, since conditions in the region can change. Watching the lava lake through satellite imagery and observatory reports is a safe way to follow this volcano from anywhere.