Plume from Nyiragongo

A lava lake persists in the caldera of Nyiragongo Volcano in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Land Volcanoes

Nyamuragira and Nyiragongo

In central Africa, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, sit two volcanoes: Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira. Besides their proximity to Lake Kivu in the south, these volcanoes share the capacity for destruction, each having produced its share of catastrophic eruptions since the early twentieth century. Yet these volcanoes differ markedly from each other, one being a low-profiled structure rising subtly from the plain, and the other sporting steep slopes.

Image of the Day Land

Ambrym’s Lava Lakes

The Earth Observing-1 satellite captured this view of twin lava lakes in Vanuatu. One glowed brightly; the other was capped with a thin gray crust of partially-solid rock.

Image of the Day Heat Land Volcanoes Remote Sensing

Fresh Lava Flows at Pu’u O’o

Satellite view of fresh lava flows from recent activity at Kilaue’s Pu’u O’o Crater.

Land Volcanoes

Plumes From Africa’s Volcanic Duo

Central Africa’s highly active Nyamuragira and Nyiragongo volcanoes simultaneously release volcanic plumes.

Image of the Day Land Volcanoes Human Presence

Halema’uma’u Crater

Gas emissions continue from the pit deep within Kilauea’s Caldera.

Land Volcanoes

Nyiragongo Volcano before the Eruption

Image of the Day Land Volcanoes

Activity on Nyiragongo

Volcanoes

Nyiragongo Vents Steam

When the African volcano Nyiragongo erupted unusually fluid lava in January 2002, nearly 500,000 Congo citizens were displaced, and dozens were killed. The lava did not erupt from the central crater, but instead ran from fissures along the southern slopes, just north of the city of Goma.

Image of the Day Land

Changes on Ol Doinyo Lengai

In September 2007, a series of explosive eruptions altered the summit of the volcano, the only one that erupts natrocarbonatite lava.

Image of the Day Land Volcanoes