New Effusive Eruption at Piton de la Fournaise Volcano

Category : International Published on: February 18 2026

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A second effusive eruption began on February 13 after intense seismic unrest beneath the summit of Piton de la Fournaise on La Réunion. Lava is flowing from fissures inside the Enclos Fouqué caldera, moving down the steep Grandes Pentes slopes. Authorities activated ORSEC Alert 2–1 and closed all public access, though no populated areas are threatened.
By evening, lava had advanced toward National Road 2, prompting traffic safety warnings. Monitoring networks recorded over 550 earthquakes and clear ground inflation, signalling magma pressurisation. Scientists say the activity follows renewed pressure after a short eruption in January. The eruption remains confined, with limited ash and continuous lava effusion.