Réunion Island Lava

Lava from Piton de la Fournaise volcano on Réunion Island has reached the Indian Ocean, producing acidic plumes of steam and volcanic gases. The eruption, which began on February 13, 2026, has created a new lava delta, extending the coastline by 190 meters.

According to Adele Campus, a University of Turin volcanologist, the hottest areas correspond to the eruptive vent, the active lava channel, and the flow front. The thermal satellite image shows lava flowing east toward the ocean on March 28, 2026.

Diego Coppola, a professor of volcanology at the University of Turin, notes that the current activity likely marks the onset of a new cycle of frequent eruptive activity at Piton de la Fournaise. The volcano has had over 150 documented eruptions since the 17th century.