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Lava Meets Ocean: Réunion Island's Fiery Spectacle
18 Mar
Summary
- Lava from Piton de la Fournaise volcano reached the ocean.
- This rare event has not occurred on the island in 19 years.
- Volcanologists are using drones to study the eruption's evolution.
Lava from the Piton de la Fournaise volcano on Réunion Island has made contact with the ocean, an event not witnessed in 19 years. Molten rock has been slowly advancing towards the shore since the volcano's eruption last month. This union of new rock and the sea generates massive plumes of steam and gas.
The natural spectacle has drawn crowds, who undertook a challenging trek to observe the phenomenon. Observers describe it as the Earth being created as molten rock merges with the ocean. Volcanologists are actively studying the eruption's progression, employing drones and direct temperature measurements on the lava flow.
This particular eruption is noted for its unusual duration compared to recent events, which explains its eventual reach to the ocean. The ongoing study aims to understand the evolving nature of this significant volcanic activity on the French island.
