By Nic
Located in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mount Nyiragongo is Africa’s most active volcano. Its main crater is 250 meters deep and 2 kilometers wide, making it home to the world’s largest lava lake.
Travel blogger and photographer Bella from Passport and Pixels recently traveled to the area and spent a night at the top of the volcano, capturing numerous photos and videos of the lava lake.
The volcano borders Rwanda, so Bella crossed the border into the Congo from there and hiked for six hours to reach the summit. Due to ongoing instability in the Congo, soldiers armed with guns accompanied her along the way to ensure safety.
▲ A warning sign about volcanic eruptions in town
▲ Signs of conflict within the Congo
▲ Soldiers armed with guns accompany hikers on the way up the volcano
With temperatures reaching 2,000°C, Bella described the lava as melting rocks bubbling like a giant cauldron being stirred.
The volcano resembles a gateway to the center of the Earth or a fiery chasm, which is why its name “Nyiragongo” means “smoking mountain,” and locals even believe it to be the gate to hell.
To see more of Bella’s work, you can visit her website.
Source: BoredPanda