World Map › Major Eruptions › Mount Nyiragongo 2002
Historic Eruption
2002 Eruption of Mount Nyiragongo
17 January 2002 · Stratovolcano · Democratic Republic of the Congo
On 17 January 2002, Mount Nyiragongo in Democratic Republic of the Congo erupted. The volcano rises to 3,470 m. Its Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) is 1 out of 8, that of a gentle eruption ejecting more than 10,000 m³ of material. It killed at least 100 people and injured 400. Most deaths were caused by lava flows.
- Date
- 17 January 2002
- Volcano
- Mount Nyiragongo
- Volcano Type
- Stratovolcano
- Elevation
- 3,470 m
- Country
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Explosivity Index (VEI)
- 1 out of 8
- Deaths
- 100
- Injuries
- 400
- Homes Destroyed
- 101 to 1,000
- Estimated Damage
- 5 to 25 million US dollars
- Main Causes of Death
- Lava Flows
Other Significant Eruptions of Mount Nyiragongo
- 2021May 2021 Eruption · VEI 2 · Lava Flows, Indirect Effects (Famine, Disease), Earthquakes32 deaths
- 1990November 1990 Eruption · Earthquakes1 death
- 1977January 1977 Eruption · VEI 1 · Lava Flows
Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Global Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database (doi:10.7289/V5JW8BSH) · Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program