Second eruption follows January unrest at Piton de la Fournaise, La Réunion
A second effusive eruption began at Piton de la Fournaise, La Réunion, at 10:06 LT on February 13, 2026, after a new seismic crisis beneath the summit. The eruption is occurring on the south–south-east flank inside the Enclos Fouqué caldera, where fissures opened and lava flows are descending the Grandes Pentes. Authorities activated ORSEC Alert 2–1 and closed access to the caldera.
First day of the eruption of February 13, 2026 at the Piton de la Fournaise. Credit: OVPF-IPGP
A second effusive eruption began at Piton de la Fournaise, La Réunion, at 10:06 LT on February 13, after a new seismic crisis beneath the summit. The eruption is occurring on the south–south-east flank inside the Enclos Fouqué caldera, where fissures opened, and lava flows are descending the Grandes Pentes. Authorities activated ORSEC Alert 2–1 and closed access to the caldera.
By approximately 13:00 LT on February 13, lava flows had descended to about 1 500 m (4 920 feet) elevation. By 21:30 LT, local authorities reported that the lava front was approaching National Road 2 (RN2) in the Route des Laves sector. The road remained open, but drivers were instructed not to stop to avoid congestion and accidents.
The Enclos Fouqué was fully closed from all access points, including Pas de Bellecombe-Jacob. Gendarmerie units evacuated hikers present within the caldera. The alert level corresponds to an eruption inside the Enclos without direct threat to people, property, or the environment.
Monitoring networks recorded 551 summit volcano-tectonic earthquakes on February 13, along with two deeper events. GNSS data showed inflation at summit stations, indicating pressurization of a shallow magmatic source, as well as inflation at more distant stations consistent with pressurization of a deeper source.
As of February 14, lava effusion continues within the uninhabited caldera. No significant ash emissions have been reported, and no populated areas are currently threatened.
The 2026 activity began with an eruption at 19:42 LT on January 18, following a seismic crisis that started at 16:34 LT beneath the summit. Four fissures opened between 19:45 and 20:54 LT along the northern flank of the terminal cone inside the Enclos Fouqué.
The lowest fissure was located approximately 0.7 km (0.4 miles) from the northern rim of the caldera. Lava fountains did not exceed 20 m (66 feet). By 06:28 LT on January 19, lava flows had advanced about 0.6 km (0.4 miles) eastward toward the Grandes Pentes, remaining confined within the caldera.
Satellite-derived thermal data during the first 24 hours indicated discharge rates between approximately 2–27 m3/s (70–950 ft3/s), although cloud cover likely caused underestimation. Volcanic tremor ceased around 05:00 LT on January 20, marking the end of surface lava emission. Field observations confirmed that effusion had stopped, with only gas emissions and incandescence from cooling lava remaining visible. No significant ash plume was identified in satellite imagery.
Between January 21 and 28, monitoring networks recorded an average of about 20 shallow volcano-tectonic earthquakes per day at depths of 1.5–2.2 km (0.9–1.4 miles) beneath the summit. Long-period earthquakes continued, interpreted as fluid movement or pressure changes within the magmatic or hydrothermal system. Deformation measurements showed renewed summit inflation, indicating re-pressurization of the shallow reservoir.
On February 6, a seismic swarm of 343 very small (M < 1.0) volcano-tectonic earthquakes occurred between 03:00 and 04:00 LT beneath the summit. The swarm was accompanied by slight ground deformation consistent with a small magma intrusion.
Monitoring reports indicated that the shallow magma supply system remained under pressure and that pressurization could persist for days to months before another magma injection reached the surface, or could cease without leading to eruption.
References:
1 Bulletin préliminaire d’activité du 13-02-2026 – Observatoire Volcanologique du Piton de La Fournaise – February 13, 2026
I’m a science journalist and researcher at The Watchers, contributing to the Epicenter edition, where I cover peer-reviewed scientific research and emerging discoveries across Earth and space sciences. With a background in astronomy and a passion for environmental science, I’ve worked in shark and coral conservation in Fiji, conducting reef and shark-behavior research, contributing to mangrove restoration, and earning PADI Open Water and Coral Reef Certifications. I bring a blend of scientific rigor and storytelling to illuminate the discoveries shaping our planet and beyond.
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