What is the name and location of the volcano?
As of January 19, 2026, the eruption is occurring at Piton de la Fournaise, an active shield volcano located on the island of La Réunion, a French overseas region in the Indian Ocean.
The volcanic activity is concentrated within the Enclos Fouqué caldera, near the northwestern base of the Dolomieu central cone, a well-known summit feature of the volcano. Piton de la Fournaise is part of the Réunion hotspot volcanic group and is among the most active volcanoes globally (1).
Which cities or areas are affected by the volcano?
- Bourg-Murat
- La Plaine-des-Cafres
- Le Tampon
- Sainte-Rose
- Saint-Philippe
What is the current containment status of the volcano?
As of January 19, 2026, the eruption remains ongoing. Effusive lava activity continues from multiple vents, including lava fountains and flows advancing mainly toward the northeast.
Volcanic activity is being closely monitored rather than physically contained, and aviation authorities have maintained an Orange alert level, although no volcanic ash cloud has been identified in satellite observations (2).
Are there any evacuation orders or alerts in place?
No mandatory evacuations have been issued for residential areas at this time. Authorities have restricted public access to the Enclos Fouqué caldera to reduce risk to visitors.
Aviation alerts remain in effect due to the ongoing eruption, and residents are advised to stay informed through official updates from local authorities and volcanological monitoring agencies (3).
How can I protect myself from volcanic smoke?
Always plan ahead to protect yourself from a volcanic eruption.
- Get a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts.
- Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode.
- Run a high-performance air purifier to filter volcanic smoke.
- Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data.
- Stay indoors; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask.
