‘Be vigilant of potential volcanic eruption’

ARUSHA: GEOLOGISTS have urged the government to deploy a team of experts for a thorough scientific investigation of the potential volcanic eruption at Oldonyo Lengai Mountain in Arusha.

This call comes in response to a recent study conducted by Mr Ntambila Daud, a doctoral student at Virginia Tech’s Geodesy and Technophysics Laboratory.

The study reveals that the mountain has been experiencing significant magma uplift, which could lead to an eruption in the near future.

The study highlights that satellite data has shown a magma reservoir approximately 2.3 kilometres beneath the crater began swelling in March 2022.

This uplift stretched towards the Earth’s crust and continued at a steady rate until December 2022, followed by a period of slower uplift until August 2023.

Such periods of uplift are considered potential indicators of an impending eruption.

In an interview with the ‘Daily News’, the Director of Geological Services at the Geological Survey of Tanzania (GST), Dr Ronald Massawe stated that the government is still working on the report.

“We are still working on it,” he briefly said.

Reacting to these findings, Head of the Department of Geology at the University of Dodoma and Associate Professor of Geology, Dr Anthanas Simon, emphasised the urgent need for a detailed scientific investigation.

He urged the government to deploy experts to assess the potential magnitude of the eruption, its environmental impact, and its expected timing.

Dr Simon expressed optimism about the likelihood of an eruption due to the active nature of Oldonyo Lengai, which is known for its potential to erupt at any time.

Dr Simon stressed the importance of a comprehensive study to prepare for and mitigate the potential hazards posed to nearby residents.

He noted that Oldonyo Lengai is unique globally for its natrocarbonatite magma and called for a standby team of experts to monitor real-time developments.

He also urged the government not to disregard the Virgin Tech study but to use it as a basis for further research.

Dr Simon highlighted that the last eruption at Oldonyo Lengai occurred in 2007 and pointed out that unlike silica volcanoes, Oldonyo Lengai is effusive, meaning it primarily emits smoke, small particles and fast-moving lava rather than explosive eruptions.

He noted that while effusive eruptions are less violent than silica eruptions, they can still have significant environmental and human impacts.

He emphasised the need for local scientists to be well-equipped to assess the eruption’s potential magnitude, its trajectory and its environmental consequences. Dr Simon also pointed out the lack of necessary equipment for measuring volcanic indicators and called on the government to provide support to local researchers.

Oldonyo Lengai, part of the Great Rift Valley volcanic system in Eastern Africa, stands at 2,886 metres.

Mr Lenin Mwasonya, a Physical Geography teacher at Nsumba Secondary School, urged the government to consider evacuating nearby residents as a precautionary measure to minimise the potential impact of an eruption.

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He also called on local geologists and researchers to conduct field research to determine the specific timing of the eruption.

Mr Mwasonya stressed the importance of local experts’ investigations to complement the Virgin Tech study, helping the government make informed decisions.

Observations of the volcano were sporadic until 2016, when the Virginia Tech team installed six sensors on its flanks to collect high-precision geodetic data using Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS).

This data helps researchers measure and understand changes in Earth’s geometric shape. Additionally, an on-site seismometer monitors localised shaking and swelling around the volcano.