The volcano awoke Friday at 2:30 AM.  Photos take from the sky by day, and from the ground by night.

The volcano awoke at 2:40 in the morning, for the third time this year.  The eruption was confined to the North-east of Dolonieu, for according to Valérie Fératzini, seizmologist, on Radio Réunion, it was not possible to verify this at night.  A helicopter from the police went out on a reconnaissance mission in the morning.  The Volcano Observatory of the Kaffir Plain had observed significant seizmological activity a little more than a week ago at the volcano named the Eye of the Furnace, which served as early warning of the eruption.  Last night, because of high activity, the local government issued a High Alert, sealing off access to the area beginning at 6 pm on Thursday evening.

A brief seizmic tremor before the eruption

According to  Valérie Fératzini, the seizmic tremor which preceded the eruption was very brief.  In fact it lasted only 5 minutes with tremors of feeble intensity.  But the seizmic activity observed throughout the day was more significant, notably with one tremor about every 10 minutes.

Even though today the scientists can foresee an eruption,  the duration is not foreseeable. Valérie Fératzini explains that the duration depends on many factors including the structure of the cone.  If the cone has a tendency to get deeper, it can stop its own eruption.

Eruption visible from Grand Brûlé

The eruption was visible from Grand Brûlé, between St-Philippe et Ste-Rose.

This is the third eruption since the beginning of the year.  The last happened last May.  The fireworks could not be seen because of bad weather.

The night photos were taken the night of Friday to Saturday at Peak Saint Rose.

 (Photo IPR de jour: Eye of the Furnace, Friday 13 August 2004.)