Volcanological Map of the Plaine des Sables, Piton de la Fournaise

Abstract : The “Plaine des Sables” (PdS) is the main entry door for the visitor approaching the summit area of Piton de la Fournaise (PdF) basaltic shield volcano. The plain, located between 2300 and 2400 m asl and 5 km west of PdF summit crater, owes its name to a m-thick continuous cover of basaltic lapilli that strongly contrast with the dominantly effusive behavior of PdF. Several cones of variable volume and size and related lava flows occur scattered inside the PdS.