Dolomieu crater (center) caps the summit lava shield of Piton de la Fournaise volcano. This 1987 aerial view shows the scarps of two large calderas formed by eastward landsliding of the summit of the volcano. The more distant caldera formed about 65,000 years ago, and the closer one, inside which the modern lava shield was constructed, originated less than 5000 years ago. Unvegetated fissure-fed lava flows mantle the flanks of the lava shield. The deeply dissected Pleistocene Piton des Neiges shield volcano forms the western horizon.

Copyrighted photo by Katia and Maurice Krafft, 1987.

Copyrighted image used with permission. All Rights Reserved. Contact photographer for any usage requests.

Piton de la Fournaise