Piton de la Fournaise again erupting on Reunion Island – archyde

It is one of the most active volcanoes in the world. After a first eruption in April that lasted six weeks, Piton de la Fournaise, on Reunion Island, erupted for the second time this year on Wednesday, December 22 at 3:30 a.m. local time (0 h 30, Paris time), indicates the volcanological observatory. At least three eruptive cracks have opened on the southern flank of the volcano in the enclosure (the central caldera of the volcano), volcanologists have noted. The eruption takes place in a totally uninhabited area and does not present a danger to the population

Alternating phases of seismicity and calm for several weeks, the Piton de la Fournaise gave its first signs of waking up around 1:15 a.m. local time (11:15 p.m. Tuesday, Paris time). “This seismic crisis is accompanied by rapid deformation”, sign “That the magma is leaving the magmatic reservoir and is spreading towards the surface” then underlined the volcanological observatory. He specified that“An eruption is likely shortly in the next few minutes or hours”.

The piton of the furnace woke up on the national holiday. All around the volcano, the island classified as World Heritage by Unesco is a natural gem that attracts many tourists. Romain Philippon, who lives there, explored it with his camera.

Reunion Island reveals abrupt relief, shaped by erosion and its two most important volcanoes, the Piton des Neiges and the Piton de la Fournaise, still active. At an altitude of 1,400 m, the Hauts de l’Île conceal the cirque of Mafate, which here houses the village of La Nouvelle. Romain Philippon for M Le magazine du Monde
The Fête des Goyaviers, which takes place in June on the Plaine-des-Palmistes. Romain Philippon for M Le magazine du Monde
In the second round of the presidential election, Reunion voted 60.26% for Emmanuel Macron, and 39.74% for Marine Le Pen, nearly 5% more than the national average for the FN. Here, activists during a meeting of Nicolas Sarkozy in 2012. Romain Philippon for M Le magazine du Monde
A lodge nestled in the primary forest of Bélouve dominates the Cirque de Salazie, regions which remain difficult to access. Romain Philippon for M Le magazine du Monde
The beach of Trou d’eau, in Saline-les-Bains. Very popular with locals, it owes its name to a natural well opening onto a lava tunnel filled with water. Romain Philippon for M Le magazine du Monde
In Reunion, the mixing of populations makes religious cults coexist. While the majority of the population is Christian, a quarter of the inhabitants practice Hinduism. The island also has Muslims and Buddhists. Here, the cemetery of Saint-Gilles. Romain Philippon for M Le magazine du Monde
Marcel, a resident of Saint-Leu, on the west coast of the island. Romain Philippon for M Le magazine du Monde
Before the cultivation of sugar cane, tourism was the island’s primary economic resource. Bus tour on the road to Îlet-à-Cordes, in the heart of the Cilaos circus. Romain Philippon for M Le magazine du Monde
A picnic on Sunday, at the Anse waterfalls, under a huge coconut grove. Romain Philippon for M Le magazine du Monde
The Sacré-Coeur shopping center, in the city of Port. Romain Philippon for M Le magazine du Monde

Located in the south-east of Reunion, the Piton de la Fournaise has erupted about twenty times over the past ten years. The eruptions of the Reunion volcano are described as effusive or of the Hawaiian type. Most of the lava flows over the surface of the volcano, unlike explosive eruptions that spew clouds of ash high into the sky.

The World with AFP

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