Eruption of Nyiragongo Volcano On May 22, 2021 Release Of So2 And Co2 Into The Atmosphere

Abstract

Faustin S. Habari, Olivier M. Munguiko, Marcel B. Rusimbuka

Nyiragongo Volcano is located in the western part of the African Rift. Deep fractures allow gas upwelling during passive and active periods. This study presents the variability of sulfur dioxide (SO2 ) concentration measured at the Rusayo site and carbon dioxide (CO2 ) measured at five separate sites (Bugarura and Munigi) and the seismic activity, most of these measurements were made before and after the eruption. The peak concentrations of SO2 and CO2 correlate well with the tremor measured continuously on the volcano. The Nyiragongo volcano erupted on the evening of Saturday, May 22, 2021 at 6:15 pm local time in Goma. Lava flowed in two directions from the flanks of the Nyiragongo volcano, killing 32 people, destroying 17 villages in the Nyiragongo territory, and cracking the ground in the city of Goma and Gisenyi. The Nyiragongo volcano is infamous for its extremely fluid lava that flows like water when the lava lake flows. Nyiragongo is a major contributor of SO2 and CO2 to the atmosphere. Note that this eruption of 2021 is similar to the one of 2002, which caused the death of a hundred people and the evacuation of many people, the most deadly date of 1977, had killed more than 600 people. The earthquakes were felt, after the eruption May 22, 2021 the strongest had a magnitude of 5.2

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