The volcano in the Democratic Republic of the Congo famous for the world’s largest persistent lava lake is Mount Nyiragongo.
Nyiragongo is an active stratovolcano in the Virunga Mountains, about 12 kilometers north of Goma. Its deep main crater has repeatedly contained a churning lake of molten lava. The lake’s size and level have changed dramatically over time, but it has generally been regarded as the largest and most voluminous persistent lava lake in recent history.
The volcano is especially dangerous because its lava can be unusually fluid and fast-moving. In January 1977, the crater lake drained in less than an hour after fractures opened in the crater walls. Lava reportedly raced down the upper slopes at speeds of up to 60 kilometers per hour. The 2002 eruption sent lava into Goma, destroying large areas and displacing tens of thousands of people.
Kīlauea and Mount Erebus have also hosted persistent lava lakes, which makes them common quiz alternatives. Nyiragongo’s distinction is the exceptional size and fluidity of its lake.