The disappearance of lava in the crater after the eruption in May sparked concerns that it might have remained under Goma.
Experts said that the emergence of a lava lake within the Nyiragongo volcano's crater in eastern DR Congo, four months after a massive eruption, is a positive sign.
Nyiragongo's May 22-23 eruption erupted and lava buried homes. It stopped just short of Goma's northern outskirts, which is home to 600,000 people.
Celestin Kasereka Mahanda, scientific director at the Goma Volcanology Observatory, stated that the "reappearance" of Nyiragongo’s crater's lava lake occurred in September 18.
He told AFP that it is not a sign of a potential eruption but rather a natural phenomenon that allows the volcano breathe.
It is a natural sign. This lake of fire will reduce earthquakes in Goma's volcanic area.
Nyiragongo is a stratovolcano that straddles the East African Rift. It measures nearly 3500m (11,500ft) high.
Following the May eruption, Goma felt a tremor that was powerful enough to shake the city. Scientists were concerned about a rare, but potentially deadly, "limnic eruption" beneath Lake Kivu. This would have carbon dioxide gas, which had been dissolved in the water's depths, rise up to the surface, and cause death for all those in its vicinity.
As a precaution, the authorities of the Democratic Republic of Congo ordered that 400,000 people be evacuated. Since the onset of seismic activity, most residents have returned to their homes.
The disappearance of the lava from the crater after the eruption sparked concerns that it might have remained under Goma.
Mahinda stated that Nyiragongo today found a way of breathing, which is a positive sign.
"Fear would have persisted even if the volcanic chimney was not blocked."
The 2002 eruption that caused the most serious volcanic eruption, saw around 100 deaths and large swathes eastern Goma destroyed.
Nyiragongo's 1977 deadliest eruption claimed over 600 lives.
2021 AFP
