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Piton de la Fournaise Eruption Ends After Two Days on Réunion

Authorities enforced the ORSEC plan by closing the Enclos to manage risk.

Overview

  • Volcanic tremor began at 7:42 pm local time on January 18, with eruptive fissures opening on the north flank inside the Enclos Fouqué.
  • Officials reported the activity confined to an uninhabited zone with no particular threat to people or infrastructure outside the caldera.
  • Crowds surged to viewing areas despite closures, with the prefecture estimating about 3,500 vehicles on Monday and issuing more than 50 tickets for illegal parking.
  • Observations varied from three to four fissures and lava fountains reaching 10 to 20 meters, tapering to a single active vent by Monday afternoon.
  • Volcanologists continue close monitoring and do not rule out a possible resumption given ongoing seismicity, following weeks of precursory quakes including a strong episode on December 31–January 1.