The first eruption of Piton de la Fournaise has started on February 10, 2020, following a strong seismic sequence under the volcano.
Several fissures have now opened up, gushing rivers of lava that flow along the slopes of the volcano.
The volcanic eruption has started on February 10, 2020 at around 10:50 a.m. (6:50 a.m. UTC) and keeps going since then.
Plusieurs fissures se sont ouvertes sur le flanc est du #PitondelaFournaise entre la zone sommitale et 2000 m d’altitude. Les fontaines de lave ne dépassent pas 10 m de hauteur. Reconnaissance faite vers 13h30 avec le soutien d’Imaz Press Réunion @ipreunion. (Images ©OVPF/IPGP) pic.twitter.com/Rs93FXEbpK
— Observatoire Volcanologique Piton de la Fournaise (@ObsFournaise) February 10, 2020
The intensity of the volcanic tremors have decreased significantly after the formation of fissures on the volcano.
Prior to the eruption, more than 210 earthquakes were recorded in 20 minutes under the summit of the Piton de la Fournaise.
Depuis 10h27 heure locale, une crise sismique est enregistrée. Cette crise sismique est accompagnée de déformation rapide. Ceci indique que le magma est en train de quitter le réservoir magmatique et se propage vers la surface. Une éruption est probable à brève échéance. pic.twitter.com/ukU6VlGaMY
— Observatoire Volcanologique Piton de la Fournaise (@ObsFournaise) February 10, 2020
Different fissures have been localised on the east flanc of the peak between the summit crater and 2,000 meters altitude near cratère Marco.
These fissures extend over a distance of 1km while fountains shoot lava up to 10 meters in the air.
Two hours after the beginning of the eruption, the lava had already flown more than 300 meters down the slopes.
Impressive sound of the eruption in this second Youtube video:
It is still very hard to predict how the first eruption in 2020 of Piton de la Fournaise will end.
Scientists say the eruption is similar to that of February 2019, during which a first series of fissures opened on the eastern slope of the summit before opening in the middle of the volcanic peak, a few hours later.
The main chamber is full of magma since December 2019. But it is impossible to tell if the chamber will empty in multiple eruptions or during a long-lasting explosion. Time will tell. Be ready or get prepared! More volcano news on Strange Sounds or Steve Quayle. [Facebook, Twitter, OVFP]
