INSAR monitoring of the Nyiragongo - Nyamuragira volcanoes (DR of CONGO). Study of the Nyiragongo January 2002- and Nyamulagira November 2006 Eruptions

This paper presents the ongoing efforts developed in North Kivu (DRC) for the implementation of the understanding, the monitoring, and the management of the risks associated to the activity of the Nyiragongo and Nyamulagira volcanoes. Most of the ongoing activities in the region have been motivated by the eruption in January 2002 of the Nyiragongo that had drastic consequences for the city of Goma situated at the foot of the volcano and its inhabitants that had to evacuate in difficult conditions. In the framework of the SAMAAV (Study And Monitoring of Actives African Volcanoes) and GORISK projects, InSAR monitoring coupled to ground based measurements has started. Ground deformations associated to that January 2002 eruption and the more recent Nyamulagira November 2006 eruption are described. A preliminary model for part of the deformation associated to the Nyiragongo eruption is presented.