Piton de la Fournaise
Réunion
Piton de la Fournaise, situated on the eastern side of Réunion Island in the Indian Ocean, is a highly active shield volcano known for its frequent and spectacular eruptions. Rising to 2,621 meters, it dominates the southeastern part of the island and forms about 40% of its landmass. The volcano features a large caldera called Enclos Fouqué, approximately 8 kilometers wide, with steep cliffs known as remparts surrounding it. Inside the caldera lies the Dolomieu lava shield, topped by the Bory and Dolomieu craters, the latter named after French geologist Déodat Gratet de Dolomieu. The volcano's eruptions are typically effusive, producing fluid basaltic lava flows and fire fountains, often confined within the caldera, though some lava flows reach the sea crossing local roads. Piton de la Fournaise is monitored closely by a volcanological observatory and is accessible via forest roads, allowing visitors to witness volcanic activity safely. Its geological history spans over 530,000 years, shaped by hotspot volcanic activity, with evidence of past explosive eruptions. The surrounding landscape includes the Grand Brûlé slopes, characterized by lava flows of varying ages and vegetation coverage. The volcano is part of Réunion National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and is a major tourist attraction known locally as "le Volcan."
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Tip: Visitors should plan to visit during the dry season for safer and clearer conditions. It is recommended to check eruption alerts and weather forecasts before hiking. Tickets or permits for guided tours should be arranged in advance when possible. The volcano is well monitored, and official visitor centers provide up-to-date information. Due to frequent eruptions, some trails or roads may be temporarily closed; always follow local guidance and signage. Discounts may be available for groups or with certain tourism passes.
Interesting facts
- •Piton de la Fournaise is among the most active volcanoes worldwide, erupting roughly every nine months on average in recent decades.
- •The volcano's caldera, Enclos Fouqué, is about 8 kilometers wide and surrounded by cliffs up to 400 meters high.
- •The Dolomieu crater collapsed nearly 300 meters in depth after the 2007 eruption due to magma chamber drainage.
- •Lava flows from eruptions sometimes reach the Indian Ocean, crossing highways that have to be rebuilt after being destroyed by lava.
- •The nearby Commerson Crater holds the record for the highest rainfall from a tropical cyclone anywhere in the world, with over 6,400 mm in 15 days during Cyclone Hyacinthe in 1980.
- •Piton de la Fournaise's eruptions are mostly Hawaiian-style with fluid lava and fire fountains, but phreatic eruptions can also occur.
History
Piton de la Fournaise formed over 530,000 years ago as part of the Réunion hotspot volcanic activity, which has been active for more than 65 million years.
The volcano has experienced three major caldera collapses approximately 250,000, 65,000, and 5,000 years ago.
It has been one of the most active volcanoes globally since the 17th century, with over 150 recorded eruptions.
Scientific study began in the early 19th century, notably by Jean-Baptiste Bory de Saint-Vincent, who first mapped its lava flows.
The Dolomieu crater appeared in 1791 following the collapse of a magma chamber.
Since 1979, a dedicated observatory has closely monitored its activity, making it one of the best-studied volcanoes in the world.
Place Guide
Enclos Fouqué Caldera
A vast 8-kilometer-wide caldera forming the upper part of the volcano, surrounded by steep cliffs known as remparts. It is the main area where eruptions occur and offers dramatic volcanic landscapes.
Dolomieu Crater1791
The largest crater atop the lava shield inside the caldera, named after French geologist Déodat Gratet de Dolomieu. It formed after a magma chamber collapse in 1791 and deepened significantly after the 2007 eruption.
Bory CraterEarly 1800s
A smaller crater located to the west of Dolomieu crater, named after Jean-Baptiste Bory de Saint-Vincent, the first scientist to map the volcano's lava flows in the early 19th century.
Grand Brûlé
The lower slopes of the volcano formed by successive lava flows over hundreds of thousands of years. The area shows a gradient of vegetation from barren recent lava to dense plant growth on older flows.
Formica Leo Crater
A small crater near the summit trailhead named for its resemblance to an antlion's sand trap, notable for its unique shape.
