A unique electrical resistivity experiment reveals the 3D interior of Piton de la Fournaise
Understanding the internal structure of volcanoes is essential for improving predictions of eruptions and for assessing hazards. However, creating high-resolution models of their interiors remains a significant challenge. At Piton de la Fournaise, we conducted an innovative 3D electrical resistivity tomography to produce a new high-resolution image of the subsurface beneath the Terminal Cone, extending down to 1 km below the summit. Our model not only images a large hydrothermal zone beneath the layered lava flows, but also reveals conductive offshoots extending toward the surface beneath the Bory crater and along faults linked to the Dolomieu crater. These findings suggest that hydrothermal activity is strongly influenced by volcano-tectonic features at the summit. This study provides valuable insights into fluid circulation, magma transfer, and instability, offering a new framework for understanding the present structure of Piton de la Fournaise and proposes a novel approach for studying the spatio-temporal evolution of volcanoes worldwide.
Authors
- Jean‐François Lénat (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4828-9013)
- Lydie Gailler (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8132-2428)
- Daniel López (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7174-4013)
- Solène Buvat
- Cyril Aumar (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7430-3413)
- Edouard Régis (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2416-8935)
- Philippe Labazuy (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4518-3328)
- Nicolas Villeneuve (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4484-5756)
- Guillaume Boudoire (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3148-3581)
- Laurent Métral (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0103-1007)
- Anthony Finizola (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5083-7349)
- Erwan Thébault (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7038-2855)
- Quentin Dumont (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2528-958X)
- Nicolas Cluzel (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2171-8789)
- Baptiste Camus (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2616-4308)
- Rachel Gusset (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3241-4801)
- Aline Peltier (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0005-301X)
- Romain Guillard
- Thierry Souriot (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3303-8016)
- E. Roulleau (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-8577-9708)
- Eric Delcher
- Laurent Perrier
- Léopold Poussin
Institutions
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR)
- Institut de physique du globe de Paris (FR)
- Université Clermont Auvergne (FR)
- Université Paris Cité (FR)
- Hokkaido University (JP)
- Stratasys (Israel) (IL)
- University of Reunion Island (RE)
- Observatoire de Physique du Globe de Clermont-Ferrand (FR)
- Laboratoire Magmas et Volcans (FR)
- Université Gustave Eiffel (FR)
- Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières (FR)
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (FR)
- University of El Salvador (SV)
- Université Savoie Mont Blanc (FR)
- Université Grenoble Alpes (FR)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Scientific Reports
- Published
- 2025-10-14
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-17161-4
- Primary Topic
- Geological and Geochemical Analysis
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
- Université de La Réunion
- Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris
- Université Clermont-Auvergne