← Back to Sessions

WITHDRAWN Analysis of the Seismicity Recorded Before the May 22, 2021 Eruption of Nyiragongo Volcano, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Description: 

WITHDRAWN We present an overview of the various seismic precursor of the Nyiragongo volcano eruption on May 22, 2021, as well as a statistical analysis of the seismic swarms recorded during the pre-eruptive period. The analysis of the seismic activity at Nyiragongo volcano during the pre-eruptive period shows that there was a particular seismicity composed of hybrid and/or volcano-tectonic type events which characterized the long- period seismic swarm recorded about a month before the eruption of May 2021. In February, 2016, a similar seismic activity was observed at Nyiragongo volcano, which led to the opening of a new vent inside Nyiragongo main crater on February 29, 2016 and that remained active until the May 2021 eruption. During the period from January 2016 to May 2021, the lava lake remained very active with important fluctuation as evidenced by the Real Seismic Amplitude measurement at Rusayo and Kibati stations. The increase and stabilization of the lava lake at a higher level resulted in an increase and accumulation of stress on the flanks of the volcano since the lava lake had already reached a higher critical level. Whether in January 2016, November 2016 or in April 2022, we show that a particular type of earthquakes recorded during a swarm at Nyiragongo volcano will most likely yield an eruption; either inside the main crater (February 2016) or the May 2021 flank eruption.

Session: Seismology's Role in Assessing Volcanic Hazard at Multiple Time Scales

Type: Oral

Date: 4/18/2023

Presentation Time: 08:00 AM (local time)

Presenting Author: Arsène Sadiki

Student Presenter: No

Invited Presentation: Yes

Authors