Nyiragongo’s 2002 eruption sent lava through Goma, dividing the Congolese city and leaving lasting scars. Explorer George Kourounis travels from Rwanda to the volcano, tracing the destruction before beginning the climb toward its lava lake.
Along the route, hardened flows and the remains of burned trees reveal the eruption’s impact. Intense heat halts an attempt to explore a fissure, while relentless thunderstorms obscure the view from the summit. When the weather finally clears, the glowing lake comes into view deep inside the crater. The journey brings together the spectacle of an active volcano and the vulnerability of the people living below it.
Documentary: Angry Planet - Season 1, Episode 3: African Hellhole
Director: Peter Rowe
Production: Peter Rowe Productions (2007)
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