Incandescent lava flows spill across the crater floor from two fountains in an active lava lake on the crater floor of Nyiragongo on 23 July 1982. The lava lake had reappeared on 21 June for the first time since draining suddenly in 1977, leaving a steep-walled, 800-m-deep crater. Nyiragongo is renowned for its long-term lava lakes. Prior to 1977, a lava lake had persisted in the 1.2-km-wide crater for half a century. By the time of this photo, a month after its return to the crater, the lava lake had risen 300 m. It rose another 100 m by 15 September.

Copyrighted photo by Katia and Maurice Krafft, 1982.

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

Nyiragongo