On 22 May 2021, Mount Nyiragongo in the Democratic Republic of the Congo began erupting. As of 25 May, 32 people died as a result of the eruption and 1,000 homes were destroyed.
Why this event still matters
Historical incidents shape the rules that protect people today — building codes, evacuation policy, warning systems and inspection regimes almost always trace back to a specific disaster. Studying 2021 Mont Nyiragongo eruption alongside current events is how preparedness improves.
See what is happening right now on the live world incident map, browse every volcanic eruptions we track on the Volcanic Eruption tracker, or follow live incidents in DR Congo.