2016-03 – Opening of new eruptive cone within Nyiragongo crater

Between 29 February and 2 March 2016, the lava lake level rose of about 20m to stabilise about 50 m below the bottom of the crater (i.e., P3). A new vent appeared east of P3. In a couple of weeks, the lava escaping from the new vent entirely covered P3 and lavas started to flow into the lava lake (see Figure below).

Figure 5: Photo of P3 and the lava lake, on XX April 2016, showing the new eruptive vent located in the eastern end of P3. Lavas erupting from this new vent filled in P3 and started to flow into the lava lake. Photo (c) ...., April 2016.
Photo of P3 and the lava lake, on 3rd April 2016, showing the new eruptive vent located in the eastern end of P3. Lavas erupting from this new vent filled in P3 and started to flow into the lava lake. Photo (c) D. Cloquet, April 2016.

Lava flows stopped in May 2016, but red glow was still visible at night at the new vent. According to the Goma Volcano Observatory (GVO), new lava flows escaping from the vent appeared from 17 August 2016. This was confirmed by a Sentinel-2 image on 21 August 2016 (click here). This most recent intracrateral activity is currently closely monitored by GVO scientists and their scientific partners from Belgium and Luxembourg.