Piton de la Fournaise erupted this Sunday, July 2, at 8:50 am. Warning phase 1 of the ORSEC volcano program was triggered a few minutes ago. Entry to the enclosure is prohibited to the public.
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Volcanic eruption. This Sunday July 2nd at 8:50 am, Piton de la Fournaise erupted for the first time in 2023.
Here are the first images of the eruption taken by Serge Durantel:
July 2 volcanic eruption
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The 2-1 warning phase of the ORSEC volcano program “Eruption in confinement without any specific threat to the safety of people, property or the environment” was therefore triggered by the Governor of Réunion.
Access to the entire Piton de la Fournaise enclosure, whether via the Pas-de-Bellecombe route or any other route, remains closed to the public until further notice. Aircraft landings in the volcanic area are restricted and subject to approval by the province.
The eruptive fissure(s) opened on the eastern flank of the volcano at the Grandes Pendes level represents the volcano lab of Piton de la Fournais.
According to the first testimonies, the explosion was visible from the Route des Laves between Saint-Rose and Saint-Philippe. RN2 is currently open to traffic. You are requested to avoid punctual stops on this road and its surroundings which may cause accidents or traffic problems.
Originally from Saint-Rose, Philippe returned to his island for a holiday with his daughter and found himself in the right place at the right time. From the Route des Laves, outside the plane, he was actually one of the first witnesses to the explosion.
While he was explaining his island’s reliefs to his daughter, particularly the Piton des Neiges and Piton de la Fournaise, driving shortly after Saint-Benoit, he saw “smoke on the mountain”. He was sure of it. Continuing on the road to Bois-Blanc, the explosion was confirmed.
Then they saw lava coming down towards the national road. According to him the explosion will not be too big. For Philip, this Sunday evening should be the occasion for a great show.
A seismic crisis was recorded at 7:36 a.m. by the instruments of the Piton de la Fournaise Volcano Observatory, which led to the triggering of Alert 1 of the ORSEC program at 8 a.m. by the head of Reunion.
Volcanic tremors consistent with the arrival of magma near the surface have been recorded since about 8:30 p.m.
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