Reunion sees 'colossal' volcano eruption
Pastor Dale Morgan
Saturday April 7, 10:43 PM
*Reunion sees 'colossal' volcano eruption*
A volcano on the Indian Ocean island of Reunion has spewed massive lava
flow and tossed magma as high as skyscrapers, but residents were not in
danger, officials said Saturday.
"It's not a volcano any more. It's a monster," one resident said.
The so-called Piton de la Fournaise volcano in eastern Reunion, a French
overseas department, has been erupting for about a week. Tourists and
residents have been able to take in the impressive sights since
residential areas have not been threatened.
On Friday, about 100 residents were evacuated from a village in
southeastern Reunion, with some believing they could see lava approaching.
They were allowed to return to their homes two hours later, however.
What was believed to be lava turned out to be a forest fire caused by
projections of burning ashes.
Some residents have decided to leave their homes anyway out of fear of
what could happen. Eight houses were destroyed by lava flow in March 1986.
The eruption showed signs of weakening Saturday, though it remained
active. A thin coating of ash covered several neighborhoods in the
eastern area of Saint-Andre.
"It could last several more days, but not weeks," said Thomas
Staudacher, director of the island's Volcano Observatory.
Staudacher called the lava flow "colossal" and estimated it at three
million cubic metres (four million cubic yards) per day.
Lava flows, which have cut off a national highway, have traveled at 60
kilometres (38 miles) per hour, and magma has been projected 200 metres
(656 feet) high.
Lava has flown toward the sea, producing clouds of volcanic gas when
making contact with water that has enveloped many areas of the island.
But sulphur dioxyde levels in the gas have not been measured at
dangerous levels.