Evolution of magma conduits during the 1998–2000 eruptions of Piton de la Fournaise volcano, Réunion Island

A groundbreaking study reveals that the 1998–2000 eruptions of Piton de la Fournaise volcano on Réunion Island were driven by lateral dikes rooted at shallow depths, typically less than 1000 meters. These dikes, which account for 17% of the emitted lava volume, highlight the significant role of exogenous growth in volcanic edifice construction. The research used interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) data combined with 3-D boundary element models and Monte Carlo inversion to analyze coeruptive displacements, providing unprecedented insights into magma conduit evolution. Additionally, the study found that dikes initially propagate vertically from a deep source before being injected laterally at shallow depths, consistent with neutral buoyancy levels in the edifice.

Fukushima, Y., Cayol, V., Durand, P., & Massonnet, D. (2010). Evolution of magma conduits during the 1998–2000 eruptions of Piton de la Fournaise volcano, Réunion Island. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 115(B10). Portico. https://doi.org/10.1029/2009jb007023