World Map › Major Eruptions › Mount Nyiragongo 2021
Historic Eruption
2021 Eruption of Mount Nyiragongo
22 May 2021 · Stratovolcano · Democratic Republic of the Congo
On 22 May 2021, Mount Nyiragongo in Democratic Republic of the Congo erupted. The volcano rises to 3,470 m. Its Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) is 2 out of 8, that of a explosive eruption ejecting more than 1 million m³ of material. It killed at least 32 people. Most deaths were caused by lava flows, indirect effects (famine, disease) and earthquakes. 5,000 homes were destroyed. It is associated with a magnitude 4.7 earthquake.
- Date
- 22 May 2021
- Volcano
- Mount Nyiragongo
- Volcano Type
- Stratovolcano
- Elevation
- 3,470 m
- Country
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Explosivity Index (VEI)
- 2 out of 8
- Deaths
- 32
- Homes Destroyed
- 5,000
- Estimated Damage
- 5 to 25 million US dollars
- Main Causes of Death
- Lava Flows, Indirect Effects (Famine, Disease), Earthquakes
- Associated Earthquake
- M 4.7
Other Significant Eruptions of Mount Nyiragongo
- 2002January 2002 Eruption · VEI 1 · Lava Flows100 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