Our local volcano, Piton de la Fournaise may not be one of the worlds most famous volcanoes but is one of the most active having erupted more that 150 times since the 17th century, most recently it started erupting again a couple of days ago!
Although it is exciting to think of an eruption close by it's generally nothing to be concerned about as the volcano is typical basaltic shield volcano with effusive eruptions (lava flows) rather than explosive ones and the active areas are all national park and uninhabited. I've already been through this conversation with the kids, explaining that while the volcano is erupting its not something we have to worry about, I'm not sure they took 100% of the explanation concerning magma composition, hot spots and continental drift but they seemed reassured nonetheless!
Reporting by Clicanoo's French language website
NPR's Emma Jacobs report on the eruption
As an aside I have always wanted to see an active volcano especially since back in 1997 I was supposed to go to study Mt Etna in Sicily for my MSc. thesis, however the university's health and safety people intervened and the trip was cancelled and I instead ended up studying historic earthquakes in Scotland (a bit of a difference!). That being the case I had planned to get Aurelie and the kids up early one morning and go to take a look (generally visibility is best early in the mornings before the clouds close in) but it appears that this eruption is already coming to an end - next time though!
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