An explosive eruption from a SE-flank vent of Nyamuragira produces a powerful vertical fountain above the vent at the left. Ash and scoria are blown by winds to the right, where they have accumulated to form the rim of a cinder cone. Hot pyroclastic-fall deposits steam in the foreground of this January 1981 photo. This eruption, which began in December 1981 and ended the following month, produced a large aerosol cloud that was tracked around the globe and produced brilliant sunsets in the following months.

Copyrighted photo by Katia and Maurice Krafft, 1982.

Copyrighted image used with permission. All Rights Reserved. Contact photographer for any usage requests.

Nyamulagira