Nyiragongo (Democratic Republic of Congo)

Nyiragongo, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is one of the world's most dangerous volcanoes due to its fast-moving lava flows and proximity to Goma (home to 1.5 million people). Its summit holds a persistent lava lake—the largest on Earth—which drained catastrophically in 2002, killing hundreds and displacing thousands. With slopes steep enough for lava to race at 100 km/h, Nyiragongo poses unique risks. Monitored by volcanologists, it remains both a scientific priority and a looming humanitarian threat in this conflict-prone region.