Volcano Could Wipe Out DR Congo City, Say Experts

TECTONICS

File photo of Goma inhabitants fleeing, in front of Nyiragongo's lava outpour in January 2002.

Goma, DRC (AFP) Aug 17, 2005
The Nyiragongo volcano that looms over Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo could soon wipe out the city, said a risk analysis report by volcano experts leaked to AFP.

Provincial authorities in Nord-Kivu have prohibited public release of the report that recommends the city be moved to avoid the fallout of another volcanic eruption, possibly within two years.

"The risk of a new eruption of Nyiragongo is clear, with a 13 percent chance that the city would survive," the report states.

In January 2002, 400,000 people were evacuated when a lava flow from the volcano destroyed almost 80 percent of the buildings in the city near the Rwandan border. More than 40 people were reportedly killed and the airport was demolished.

"It is absurd and surprising to suppress such information that, given in time, can help the population take useful steps," a specialist said.

The 3,465-metre (11,365 foot) volcano has a two-kilometre wide crater with an active lava lake in the centre. With nearby Nyamuragira, it is responsible for about 40 percent of all volcanic activity in the continent.

Nyiragongo's lava flows are extremely fluid, travelling at speeds up to 100 kilometres (60 miles) an hour. An eruption in 1977 reportedly killed more than 70 people.

All rights reserved. � 2005 Agence France-Presse. Sections of the information displayed on this page (dispatches, photographs, logos) are protected by intellectual property rights owned by Agence France-Presse. As a consequence, you may not copy, reproduce, modify, transmit, publish, display or in any way commercially exploit any of the content of this section without the prior written consent of Agence France-Presse.

TECTONICS

Fear Then Relief As Japan Quake Causes Little Damage

Sendai, Japan (AFP) Aug 16, 2005
The hospital shook as expectant mother Eri Sawaki lay in bed Tuesday, one week before she was due to give birth.

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2016 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement All images and articles appearing on Space Media Network have been edited or digitally altered in some way. Any requests to remove copyright material will be acted upon in a timely and appropriate manner. Any attempt to extort money from Space Media Network will be ignored and reported to Australian Law Enforcement Agencies as a potential case of financial fraud involving the use of a telephonic carriage device or postal service.