Reunion Island’s Piton de la Fournaise volcano has been putting on a spectacular show since erupting in mid-February, with a flow of lava cutting through forests and crossing a major road on the French overseas territory of Reunion Island. The lava flow eventually found its way into the ocean on Monday (March 16) after stalling for several hours about 150 meters from the sea.
Located in the southeastern part of Africa in the Indian Ocean, Reunion Island is a volcanic island in the Mascarene archipelago. The Piton de la Fournaise volcano on the island is one of the most active volcanoes in the world and is often referred to as the fiery heart of Reunion Island.
With a history dating back approximately 500,000 years, the volcano has erupted nearly 50 times between 2000 and 2025, averaging about twice a year. As 2026 began, the volcano’s eruption frequency accelerated, following eruptions on January 18 and February 13, with another eruption on the morning of March 12, where lava continues to flow.
After the eruption on February 13, the Piton de la Fournaise volcano created a 15-meter-high red “lava fountain.” The scene showed hot orange magma flowing eastward down a slope like a “river of fire,” accompanied by thick smoke, creating a mesmerizing and awe-inspiring sight on the surface.
Local authorities reported that two streams of lava flowing from the volcano crossed through forests, with the first stream passing over National Route 2 on the morning of March 13, covering a section about 15 meters long and 1.5 meters high, resulting in the disruption of this vital roadway linking the southern and eastern parts of the island. Later, around 9:27 am, a second lava stream crossed a road.
On Monday (March 16), a significant amount of lava finally reached the Indian Ocean, creating a spectacular scene as the scorching magma met the cooler seawater, rapidly producing large clouds of steam. This marks the first time in 19 years that lava from the Piton de la Fournaise volcano has reached the ocean.
Known as the “Peak of the Furnace,” the Piton de la Fournaise volcano is a shield volcano characterized by its relatively low explosive eruptions, high lava mobility, and formations of high fountains, lava rivers, and shield-shaped volcanoes, with minimal ash content, posing no direct threat to residential areas.
Due to these characteristics, the volcano has become a key attraction for Reunion Island’s tourism industry, drawing numerous tourists, geology enthusiasts, and photographers each year who come to witness its unique and relatively serene eruptions up close.