According to the OVPF, "the eruptive fissure(s) opened on the northern flank of the volcano ." The eruption is located in a completely uninhabited area, posing no particular threat to the safety of people, property, or the environment.
The Piton de la Fournaise volcano had been showing signs of activity for several weeks . Significant seismic activity was recorded by the instruments of the volcanological observatory.
Effusive eruptions
On the night of December 31st to January 1st , a major seismic crisis led the prefecture to activate alert level 1 of the ORSEC plan, warning that an eruption was "likely in the very near future ." The seismic activity subsided a few hours later, and the alert was lifted. This Sunday, a new significant seismic crisis began at 4:34 PM. The prefecture again activated alert level 1 of the ORSEC plan. The eruption began approximately three hours later.
Located in the southeast of Réunion Island, Piton de la Fournaise is one of the world's most active volcanoes. It has erupted approximately twenty times in the last ten years. The most recent eruption occurred between July 2nd and August 10th, 2023.
The eruptions of the volcano on Réunion Island are classified as effusive or Hawaiian-type. The lava flows mostly along the surface of the volcano, unlike explosive eruptions which spew clouds of ash high into the sky. The spectacle of lava cascading down the flanks of the volcanic massif always attracts thousands of spectators, both locals and tourists.
Le Monde with AFP
(Translated by Google)
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