Réunion Island, April 3, 2007—A glowing river of lava flows into the Indian Ocean as one of the world's most active volcanoes erupts on the French-held island of Réunion.

The eruption, which began Monday, is the third this year of the volcano known as Piton de la Fournaise, or Mountain of the Furnace.

But this most recent event has been the most severe of the three, with the steady flow of molten rock destroying homes, burning through roads, and sending dozens to the hospital with respiratory problems caused by sulfuric fumes.

Scientists on the island predict that the eruptions will continue, according to press reports in nearby Madagascar.

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