Piton de la Fournaise volcano (La Réunion) activity update: unrest, eruption warning

Wed, 29 Apr 2015, 21:10

21:10 PM | BY: T

A new eruption could be on its way at the volcano.
A sharp increase in volcanic CO2 emissions, significant deformation of the Dolomieu crater, and a migration of earthquakes from deep to shallow (7 km) levels, as well as earthquakes near the surface itself that have appeared over the past weekend suggest new magma is on its rise to a possible new eruption, which would be the second in 2015.
The prefecture raised the alert to level 1 ("eruption likely") and closed access to the Enclos Fouqué this morning.

The volcano observatory considered two scenarios most likely:
- Magma has risen from a deep source and is now close to the surface, ready to produce a new eruption.
or
- Magma has risen from a deep source but stopped at approx. 2 km depth, but destabilizes pockets of older magma in shallower areas, which creates the observed seismic activity.

The next days will probably give an answer to what is happening.

All news about: Piton de la Fournaise volcano
Information about: Piton de la Fournaise volcano

Previous news

Mon, 16 Feb 2015, 10:45

Piton de la Fournaise volcano (La Réunion): eruption seems to have ended

Map of the erupted lava flows as of 8 Feb (little changes since) (OVPF)

After 10 days of relatively stable, mild effusive lava flow activity, the eruption seems to have ended last night. ... Read all

Wed, 11 Feb 2015, 06:00

Piton de la Fournaise volcano (Reunion Island, France) - Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 11 February-17 February 2015 (New Activity / Unrest)

OVPDLF reported that during 11-13 February visibility of the eruption at Piton de la Fournaise that began on 4 February from vents located 100 m outside and to the W of Bory Crater was hampered by poor weather conditions; tremor remained elevated. Tremor began to decrease at 1700 on 15 February, intensely fluctuated, and then disappeared around 2230. Incandescence visible with a webcam likely indicated draining lava tubes. ... Read all

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