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Table 1 Table summarizing information from reports of basaltic lava flow events at Piton de la Fournaise that have threatened inhabited areas or infrastructures since 1950

From: Reappraisal of gap analysis for effusive crises at Piton de la Fournaise

Eruption

References

Overview, including impacts (Eruption duration)

Response

Recovery & Applying lessons learned

1961 (Apr.)

e.g. Derrien 2019; various local newspapers

Lava flows inundated the coastal highway. (61 days)

A section of the coastal highway was closed

Part of the coastal highway was rebuilt

1976 (Jan.)

e.g. Derrien 2019; various local newspapers

Lava flows inundated the coastal highway. (4 months)

A section of the coastal highway was closed

Part of the coastal highway was rebuilt

1977 (Apr.)

e.g. Tricot and Vincent 1977; Kieffer et al. 1977; Davoine and Saint-Marc 2016; various local newspapers

Lava flows threatened the town of Bois Blanc and inundated thirty structures in Piton Sainte Rose. A main road and bridge were also inundated. (11 days)

More than 1000 people were evacuated

This eruption prompted the creation of the volcanic observatory in 1979

1986 (Mar.)

e.g. Bertile, 1987; Delorme et al., 1989; Davoine and Saint-Marc, 2016; OVPF bulletins; various local newspapers

This eruption consisted of four phases. During the second phase, the coastal highway was traversed by two lava flows. Eight rural houses were destroyed. During the third phase, steaming cracks opened across the coastal highway and a lava tube formed across the coastal highway. (9 days)

Towns were evacuated. Fifty-one people were made homeless by the destruction of their homes

Part of the coastal highway was rebuilt

1998 (Mar. - Sep.)

e.g. Villeneuve et al 2008; Peltier et al. 2009; Di Muro et al. 2012, 2014; Davoine and Saint-Marc 2016; Staudacher et al. 2016; Vlastélic et al. 2018; OVPF bulletins; various local newspapers

A lava flow threatened Bois Blanc but did not reach the town. Another lava flow stopped 5 m from the coastal highway. Forest fires were ignited. (6.5 months)

A section of the coastal highway was closed

 

2001 (Jun. - Jul.)

e.g. Villeneuve et al 2008; Peltier et al. 2009; Di Muro et al. 2012, 2014; Davoine and Saint-Marc 2016; Staudacher et al. 2016; Vlastélic et al. 2018; OVPF bulletins; various local newspapers

Two lava flows inundated the coastal highway. (3.7 weeks)

A section of the coastal highway was closed

Part of the coastal highway was rebuilt

2002 (Jan.)

e.g. Villeneuve et al 2008; Peltier et al. 2009; Di Muro et al. 2012, 2014; Davoine and Saint-Marc 2016; Staudacher et al. 2016; Vlastélic et al. 2018; OVPF bulletins; various local newspapers

A lava flow cuts the coastal highway before creating an ocean entry. A lava delta of 15 ha formed. (1.5 weeks)

A section of the coastal highway was closed

Part of the coastal highway was rebuilt

2002 (Nov. - Dec.)

e.g. Villeneuve et al 2008; Peltier et al. 2009; Di Muro et al. 2012, 2014; Davoine and Saint-Marc 2016; Staudacher et al. 2016;  Vlastélic et al. 2018; OVPF bulletins; various local newspapers

A lava flow created an ocean entry after crossing the coastal highway. (2.8 weeks)

A section of the coastal highway was closed

Part of the coastal highway was rebuilt

2004 (Aug. -Oct.)

e.g. Villeneuve et al 2008; Peltier et al. 2009; Di Muro et al. 2012, 2014; Davoine and Saint-Marc 2016; Staudacher et al. 2016;  Vlastélic et al. 2018; OVPF bulletins; various local newspapers

A lava delta was created after a lava flow cut the coastal highway. (8.8 weeks)

A section of the coastal highway was closed

Part of the coastal highway was rebuilt. The lava tubes are now a tourist attraction.

2005 (Feb.)

e.g. Villeneuve et al 2008; Peltier et al. 2009; Di Muro et al. 2012, 2014; Davoine and Saint-Marc 2016; Staudacher et al. 2016;  Vlastélic et al. 2018; OVPF bulletins; various local newspapers

Two lava flows inundated the coastal road. (1.3 weeks)

A section of the coastal highway was closed

Part of the coastal highway was rebuilt

2007 (Mar. -May)

e.g. Payet et al. 2007; Bhugwant et al. 2009; Peltier et al. 2009; Viane et al 2009; Staudacher et al. 2009, 2016; Bertile 2011; Morin 2012; Di Muro et al. 2012, 2014; Davoine and Saint-Marc 2016; Rhéty et al., 2017; Harris and Villeneuve 2018a, 2018b; Vlastélic et al. 2018; OVPF bulletins; various local newspapers

A lava flow buried the coastal highway (eventually under 50 m of lava) before reaching the ocean. Gas emission caused health issues. The resulting laze damaged metal roofs within 1 km of the ocean entry. By the end of the eruption, 1.4 km of the coastal highway were inundated while 0.45 km2 of new land was created. This was one of the most voluminous eruptions in centuries, damaging forests and igniting fires; causing vegetation damage as far away as Mauritius. The ocean entry impacted sea life with dead fish floating up from depths down to 500. The local fishing industry was severly impacted (1 month)

A section of the coastal highway was also closed. The town of Le Tremblet was evacuated after fake news announcing an "hors-Enclos" fissure opening. Three schools were evacuated and medical aid given due to gas impacts. Warnings/advice were issued (via the local newspaper) for farmers, aviation and those approaching the ocean entry.

Part of the coastal highway was replaced within a few months (cost: 1 million €). Viewing points were set up for sight-seer access