Image of the day
Piton de la Fournaise volcano erupts for the second time this year
Earth Observation | Copernicus
Air Pollution
Volcanoes
Location: Réunion Island
Credit: European Union, Copernicus Sentinel-5P imagery
Piton de la Fournaise is an active shield volcano located on Réunion Island in the Indian Ocean. It erupted on 13 February, marking its second eruption in 2026.
On 14 February 2026, the TROPOMI instrument on board the Copernicus Sentinel-5P satellite acquired data showing a plume of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) emitted from Piton de la Fournaise. The plume extended more than 550 km across the Indian Ocean towards Madagascar.
Data from the Copernicus Sentinel-5P satellite enable the monitoring of volcanic emissions, which supports aviation safety, public health advisories, and environmental management worldwide.
