In the morning hours of July 2, 2023, a new eruption of the volcano Piton de la Fournes began on the French island of Réunion, off the coast of Madagascar. This event attracted the attention of local residents and scientists because it was evidence of the activity of this volcano, which had been dormant for a long time.
The eruption of Piton de la Fournes caused two new eruptive fissures to form. Each of these fissures has already produced a lava flow of about 1,000 meters, but continues to expand. This poses a danger to the surrounding areas and the population of the island.
The seismic crisis preceding the eruption was the first signal of renewed volcanic activity. Scientists noted an increase in the number and intensity of earthquakes in the Piton de la Furnez area in recent months. This phenomenon indicated that magma was rising to the surface and that the volcano was ready to erupt.
The deep valleys of Piton de la Fournez also play an important role in volcanic activity. They serve as channels for the release of lava and gases to the surface. As a result of a volcanic eruption, these valleys can be altered and rebuilt, creating new landscapes and forming new lava flows.
The Piton de la Furnez volcano has a rich history of eruptions. According to research, the first known eruption of this volcano occurred about 530,000 years ago. Over the past few centuries, the volcano has been active periodically, with the most significant eruptions in 1708, 1774, 1865 and 1977.
The study of volcanic activity is an important task for scientists. They seek to understand the mechanisms of eruptions and predict the possible effects on the surrounding areas. In the case of the Piton de la Furnez volcano, scientists are using a variety of monitoring methods, including measuring seismic activity, studying gas emissions and observing the behavior of lava flows.
Professor John Stevenson, a renowned volcanologist, expressed his opinion on the current eruption of the Piton de la Fournez volcano: “This event is significant because the volcano has been dormant for a long time. Studying this eruption will allow us to better understand the processes taking place inside the volcano and its potential danger to the surrounding areas”.
