Nyamulagira is a shield volcano located in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) with an elevation of 3,058 meters and a tectonic setting characterized by a rift zone on continental crust more than 25 kilometers thick. Maintained by the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program, the official structured record documents 48 confirmed eruptions spanning from 1550 CE to 2026 CE.
Overview of Recorded Eruptions
The historical record of Nyamulagira contains 48 confirmed eruptions. The earliest recorded event dates back to 1550 CE, with a start year uncertainty of 100 years, established via calibrated 14C isotopic evidence. Subsequent centuries show varying counts of documented activity, shifting from early historical single entries into more frequently observed and reported eruptions in the 20th and 21st centuries.
Eruption Distribution Across Centuries
Official records group the 48 confirmed eruptions across four centuries CE:
- 16th century CE: 1 confirmed eruption
- 19th century CE: 5 confirmed eruptions
- 20th century CE: 33 confirmed eruptions
- 21st century CE: 9 confirmed eruptions
Out of the total confirmed eruptions, 44 include observations or estimates regarding the Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI). The largest recorded VEI in the official dataset is 3.0.
Selected Historical Eruption Examples
The structured eruption record captures diverse activity areas, evidence methods, and scales:
- 1550 CE: The earliest recorded event in the collection, determined by calibrated 14C isotopic evidence with a 100-year uncertainty window.
- July 2, 1908 CE: An eruption reported specifically within the summit caldera.
- August 7, 1958 CE to November 21, 1958 CE: A confirmed eruption reaching a VEI of 2.0, located at the north flank (Kitsimbanyi) along the north-northwest rift.
- December 1, 1996 CE to December 5, 1996 CE: An eruption reaching the maximum recorded magnitude in the dataset with a VEI of 3.0.
- April 14, 2018 CE to March 16, 2026 CE: An eruption originating in the summit caldera with a VEI of 0.0, marked in the official profile as continuing through March 16, 2026 CE. (Note: The retrieval date for this baseline record is August 28, 2026 CE.)
Frequently asked questions
How many eruptions has Nyamulagira recorded?
The official Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program record documents 48 confirmed eruptions for Nyamulagira.
When did Nyamulagira's earliest recorded eruption take place?
The earliest recorded eruption in the official database dates to 1550 CE, with a start year uncertainty of 100 years.
What is the largest recorded VEI for Nyamulagira?
The largest recorded Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) for Nyamulagira is 3.0.
Image credits
- MONUSCO Photos — Wikimedia Commons source — CC BY-SA 2.0
Sources and further context
Official datasets support the event-specific facts.