Volcano · France (Réunion)
Piton de la Fournaise
One of the world's most active volcanoes, erupting about once a year.
Status right now
No current reports
Piton de la Fournaise is not in the latest Smithsonian weekly report or the GDACS volcano alerts. That usually means it is quiet, but not every change is reported straight away. For official alerts, follow the local volcano observatory.
Checked 4 Nov 2026, 23:43 UTC.
Key facts
- Country
- France (Réunion)
- Region
- Africa
- Type
- Shield
- Summit
- 2,632 m (8,635 ft)
- Coordinates
- 21.244° S, 55.708° E
- Smithsonian number
- 233020
What kind of volcano is it?
Piton de la Fournaise is a shield. A shield volcano is broad and gently sloping, built from runny basalt lava that flows a long way before it cools. Eruptions are usually effusive: lava fountains and flows rather than large explosions.
Eruption history
| Date | VEI | Deaths | Also |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 1972 | 2 | 3 | – |
1 significant eruption near Piton de la Fournaise in NOAA's Global Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database, which lists eruptions that caused deaths, damage or a tsunami, or were VEI 6 or larger. VEI is the Volcanic Explosivity Index, from 0 to 8.
Nearby volcanoes
- KarthalaComoros · 1,684 km
- Ol Doinyo LengaiTanzania · 2,968 km
- NyiragongoDR Congo · 3,610 km
- NyamulagiraDR Congo · 3,622 km
- Erta AleEthiopia · 4,208 km
- MarapiIndonesia · 5,380 km
Not an official warning service. In an emergency, follow your local authorities.