Piton de la Fournaise volcanic activity on Réunion Island

Overview

The Piton de la Fournaise volcano on Réunion Island entered a period of heightened activity on October 24, 2026, following a significant seismic crisis. The Observatoire Volcanologique du Piton de la Fournaise (OVPF) recorded approximately 146 to 150 shallow volcano-tectonic earthquakes within a single hour, accompanied by rapid ground deformations.

This activity indicated a magmatic intrusion toward the surface. While the magma did not reach the surface—an event described by the OVPF as an ‘abortive eruption’ or ‘aborted intrusion’—the magmatic reservoir remains under pressure.

In response, authorities activated Alert Level 1 and the ORSEC Volcan alert system. Access to the Enclos Fouqué caldera, the Grandes Pentes, and lava tunnels was closed to the public. During the initial crisis, approximately thirty people were evacuated from the sector, with some hikers being airlifted by helicopter.

As monitoring continues, experts warn that while seismicity has returned to previous levels, the superficial reservoir continues to pressurize. An eruption remains possible within days, weeks, or months.

Entities

Observatoire volcanologique du Piton de la Fournaise · Piton de la Fournaise · La Réunion · PGHM · Réunion

Timeline

1 day ago

[INTERNATIONAL] 2 sources
Piton de la Fournaise volcano enters alert level 1 after seismic activity
Piton de la Fournaise volcano triggered alert level 1 on October 24 following seismic activity and an aborted magma intrusion, with officials warning of potential future eruptions.
4 days ago

[INTERNATIONAL] 6 sources
Piton de la Fournaise volcano on Réunion Island enters alert phase
Authorities have issued Alert Level 1 for Piton de la Fournaise on Réunion Island after a seismic crisis indicated magma moving toward the surface, prompting area closures and evacuations.

Sources

claudegrandpeyvolcansetglaciers.com · hna.de · ipreunion.com · kreiszeitung.de · lomazoma.com · merkur-online.de · octeam.fr