Volcano · DR Congo
Nyamulagira
Africa's most active volcano.
Status right now
No current reports
Nyamulagira is not in the latest Smithsonian weekly report or the GDACS volcano alerts. That usually means it is quiet, but not every change is reported straight away. For official alerts, follow the local volcano observatory.
Checked 4 Nov 2026, 22:40 UTC.
Key facts
- Country
- DR Congo
- Region
- Africa
- Type
- Shield
- Summit
- 3,058 m (10,033 ft)
- Coordinates
- 1.408° S, 29.200° E
- Smithsonian number
- 223020
What kind of volcano is it?
Nyamulagira is a shield. A shield volcano is broad and gently sloping, built from runny basalt lava that flows a long way before it cools. Eruptions are usually effusive: lava fountains and flows rather than large explosions.
Eruption history
| Date | VEI | Deaths | Also |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22 May 2021 | 2 | 32 | earthquake |
| 17 Jan 2002 | 1 | 100 | – |
| 21 Nov 1990 | – | 1 | – |
| 10 Jan 1977 | 1 | – | – |
| 28 Jan 1938 | 1 | – | tsunami |
| 3 Dec 1912 | 3 | 20 | – |
6 significant eruptions near Nyamulagira in NOAA's Global Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database, which lists eruptions that caused deaths, damage or a tsunami, or were VEI 6 or larger. VEI is the Volcanic Explosivity Index, from 0 to 8.
Nearby volcanoes
- NyiragongoDR Congo · 14 km
- Ol Doinyo LengaiTanzania · 761 km
- KarthalaComoros · 1,941 km
- Erta AleEthiopia · 2,094 km
- Piton de la FournaiseFrance (Réunion) · 3,622 km
- SantoriniGreece · 4,223 km
Not an official warning service. In an emergency, follow your local authorities.