Table 11 Table summarising basaltic lava flow events at Mt. Cameroon that have threatened inhabited areas since 1950

1959 (1, 3, 6, 7, 11)

Villages and fields were threatened by ‘a’ā lava flows. (1.5 months)

Response not reported.

Recovery and how this eruption affected future preparation were not reported.

1982 (2, 3, 11)

‘A’ā lava flows advanced at 20 km/hr through dense forests towards the town of Bakingili (6 km from the vent). (1 month)

As a result, three towns were evacuated. Although none of the towns were inundated, many palm oil plantations were; other local economies were unaffected.

Recovery and how this eruption affected future preparation were not reported.

1999 (4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11)

Bakingili was threatened again by an ‘a’ā lava flow that advanced through forests. Hundreds of acres of forests and palm oil trees were destroyed by inundation and ignition. The lava flow inundated a hundred metre stretch of road before reaching the ocean. (3 weeks)

Due to the resulting laze, two towns were evacuated. Within six days of the flow emplacement, people were already observed climbing over the flow.

Within two months of the end of the eruption, all evacuees had returned home.

2000 (5, 8, 10, 11)

‘A’ā lava flows advanced through savannahs, forests, and agricultural land before threatening suburbs in Buea. The flows advanced at 30 m/hr although stopped advancing 4 km from the outskirts of town. While the town itself was spared, the lava flow traversed the road near Limbe. (3.5 months)

Local officials began evacuation planning for 3000 people although the plans were never implemented as the flow stopped advancing after two days, 4 km from Buea.

Recovery and how this eruption affected future preparation were not reported.