Rising magma and empty coffers raise alarm for Congo's volcano-watchers

MARCH 10, 20215 :By Hereward Holland, Djaffar Al Katanty

https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-congo-volcano-idUSKBN2B21A7

MT. NYIRAGONGO, Democratic Republic of Congo (Reuters) - Standing on the serrated edge of Mount Nyiragongo’s crater in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, volcanologist Honore Ciraba peered into the lens of a device measuring changes in the size of the volcano’s rim.

The readings, along with earthquake, temperature and gas data, are crucial to the region’s early warning system for the nearby city of Goma, to avoid a repeat of the 2002 eruption when 250 people died and 120,000 were made homeless.

Increased volcanic activity and other indicators have experts fretting that another eruption could be on the way.

But after the World Bank cut funding amid embezzlement allegations, Ciraba and colleagues at the Goma Volcano Observatory (OVG) are struggling to make even basic checks.

“If we don’t do regular measurements and announce the eruption a few days beforehand, the population won’t have time to evacuate and people will die,” said Ciraba, 65, who’s devoted his life to trudging up the 3,470m cone to study its activity.

story continues at:  https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-congo-volcano-idUSKBN2B21A7

I highly recommend the sister picture post by reuters as well.  :  https://www.reuters.com/news/picture/rising-magma-at-mount-nyiragongo-alarms-idUSRTXAADJW

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