Volume 81, Issue 1, October 2025, Pages 36–48
Solange Maska Manzekele1, Delphin Chiza2, Sadiki Tumaini3, Pascal MATAMBA4, Sandra Nzamu Maombi5, Nyakambali Kasigwa6, and Mavonga Tuluka7
1 Goma Volcanological Observatory, RD Congo
2 Goma Volcanological Observatory, RD Congo
3 Goma Volcanological Observatory, RD Congo
4 Department of Seismology, Goma Volcano Observatory, RD Congo
5 Goma Volcanological Observatory, RD Congo
6 Goma Volcanological Observatory, RD Congo
7 Goma Volcanological Observatory, RD Congo
Original language: English
Copyright © 2025 ISSR Journals. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
The 2023 eruption of Nyamulagira volcano (DR Congo) began on May 19 with lava overflowing from the summit crater. We analyze seismic data from two nearby stations (RGB2 and RSY2) to investigate the precursory signals leading up to the eruption. Our results show a clear and gradual increase in RSAM (Real-time Seismic Amplitude Measurement) starting around 10 days before, followed by a seismic swarm from May 18 to early May 19. Correlation analyses reveal a weak relationship between RSAM and the number of daily volcanic events, suggesting distinct physical processes: RSAM is sensitive to continuous tremors linked to magma ascent, whereas event counts reflect brittle fracturing. Despite moderate correlation between RSAM values at both stations, local effects may influence amplitude differently. We conclude that RSAM trends, especially progressive increases followed by swarms, may serve as reliable early indicators of eruptive activity, even in the absence of detectable surface deformation.
Author Keywords: volcano activity, seismic activity, seismic amplitude.
Solange Maska Manzekele1, Delphin Chiza2, Sadiki Tumaini3, Pascal MATAMBA4, Sandra Nzamu Maombi5, Nyakambali Kasigwa6, and Mavonga Tuluka7
1 Goma Volcanological Observatory, RD Congo
2 Goma Volcanological Observatory, RD Congo
3 Goma Volcanological Observatory, RD Congo
4 Department of Seismology, Goma Volcano Observatory, RD Congo
5 Goma Volcanological Observatory, RD Congo
6 Goma Volcanological Observatory, RD Congo
7 Goma Volcanological Observatory, RD Congo
Original language: English
Copyright © 2025 ISSR Journals. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Abstract
The 2023 eruption of Nyamulagira volcano (DR Congo) began on May 19 with lava overflowing from the summit crater. We analyze seismic data from two nearby stations (RGB2 and RSY2) to investigate the precursory signals leading up to the eruption. Our results show a clear and gradual increase in RSAM (Real-time Seismic Amplitude Measurement) starting around 10 days before, followed by a seismic swarm from May 18 to early May 19. Correlation analyses reveal a weak relationship between RSAM and the number of daily volcanic events, suggesting distinct physical processes: RSAM is sensitive to continuous tremors linked to magma ascent, whereas event counts reflect brittle fracturing. Despite moderate correlation between RSAM values at both stations, local effects may influence amplitude differently. We conclude that RSAM trends, especially progressive increases followed by swarms, may serve as reliable early indicators of eruptive activity, even in the absence of detectable surface deformation.
Author Keywords: volcano activity, seismic activity, seismic amplitude.
How to Cite this Article
Solange Maska Manzekele, Delphin Chiza, Sadiki Tumaini, Pascal MATAMBA, Sandra Nzamu Maombi, Nyakambali Kasigwa, and Mavonga Tuluka, “Precursory seismic signal of the May 19, 2023 eruption of Nyamulagira Volcano in the Virunga Volcanic Province, Democratic Republic of Congo,” International Journal of Innovation and Scientific Research, vol. 81, no. 1, pp. 36–48, October 2025.
