Deep Geothermal Drillings on Piton De La Fournaise Volcano (La Réunion)

    In 2000, the Regional Council of La Réunion started a project for the evaluation of the geothermal resource on the island. New geological, geophysical and geochemical surveys have been carried out between 2001 and 2004. In 2005, a decision to drill 2 or 3 reconnaissance, 1-1.5 km deep, wells on Piton de la Fournaise Volcano have been taken. Drilling operations should be carried out in 2008.

    The Regional Council of La Réunion has expressed a strong willingness to open the drillings (with some restictions) to the scientific community to encourage original research projects aimed at studying the hot spot volcanism and associated topics. The French INSU (National Institute for Universe Sciences) is organising and funding the response of the scientific community. ICDP is a major partner of the project through the use of DIS, its assistance in borehole logging and in the organization of an international workshop.