The eruption of Mount Nyiragongo
I can explain why Mount Nyiragongo erupted and the impacts of the eruption.
The eruption of Mount Nyiragongo
I can explain why Mount Nyiragongo erupted and the impacts of the eruption.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- Mount Nyiragongo is a volcano located in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the East African Rift System.
- On the 22nd May 2021, it began to erupt; this followed a deadly eruption in 2002, which reached the city of Goma.
- When the eruption happened, lava poured down the sides of the volcano.
- At least 450 000 people were displaced or evacuated due to the lava flows.
Keywords
Constructive plate boundary - where two tectonic plates separate
Economic impacts - consequences that relate to the way money is made, lost or spent
Social impacts - consequences that relate to people’s quality of life, e.g. healthcare
Infrastructure - all the basic systems in a country, such as transport and power supply
Common misconception
There are no plate boundaries in Africa.
Mount Nyiragongo is on a constructive plate boundary known as the East African Rift System, where the African plate is splitting into the Nubian and Somali plates.
To help you plan your year 8 geography lesson on: The eruption of Mount Nyiragongo, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 8 geography lesson on: The eruption of Mount Nyiragongo, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
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Explore more key stage 3 geography lessons from the Tectonic hazards: Why is Earth restless? unit, dive into the full secondary geography curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
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