Indian Ocean was in news around 2 years back when the devastating Tsunami struck. Otherwise it is usually calm on natural disasters front. Volcanoes don’t strike here easily. Recently, a volcano on the Reunion Island was spewing out lava and ash for nearly a week, sending fear waves around the inhabitants. But, it seems to have calmed down on Sunday.
Reunion Island is a hotspot which is believed to have been active for over 65 million years. The Piton de la Fournaise volcano is a shield volcano on the eastern side of Reunion Island. It is currently one of the most active volcanoes in the world. It first erupted on Monday, sending lava 500 metres into the air and creating fabulous clouds of steam in the sea. Reports say that the intensity of the eruptions had dimnished considerably over the last 48 hours.
Earlier, the lava flows cut off a road that passes the foot of the volcano. Some 200 families living in the village of Tremblet, 3 km (2 miles) from the site of lava flow were evacuated. The region was on high alert. But once it calmed down, the families were allowed to go back.
Piton de la Fournaise volcano is a major tourist destination. The volcano erupts frequently, but it doesn’t damage life and property on a large scale. Usually the lava flow is confined to the caldera or the mouth of the volcano. This time too, the volcano erupted without damaging.
via: REUTERS