Marcellin Byamungu Zirirane

Major risks in the Virunga region Marcellin Byamungu Zirirane

This study aimed to contribute to the assessment of the major geological risks of the North basin of Lake Kivu and their impact on the population of the cities of Goma and Gisenyi. Generally speaking, the risks due to volcanic eruptions result from the Nyiragongo volcano which is currently located 5 km from the city of Goma and about 18 km from Lake Kivu. The population of both cities is directly exposed to lava flows and gases from the active lava lake of this volcano. The seismic risk is not at all pronounced in the region, given the assessment we made over a period from 2002 to 2017. As for the risk of gas, Lake Kivu is full of two important gases, the origin of which is still under scientific discussion, but which can temporarily be attributed to biological phenomena. These gases are moreover dangerous especially since CH4 being a hydrocarbon, its rise to the surface can cause the generalized incendu of the whole region, and CO2 with its asphyxiating character can cause the death of the people and the animals once risen to the surface. The population is vulnerable to these risks that we have listed.