Piton des Neiges, Dormant volcano at Réunion Island, France.
Piton des Neiges is a dormant volcano on Réunion Island and the highest peak in the Indian Ocean, rising more than 3000 meters. Its summit towers above the surrounding plateaus and dominates the island's landscape.
The volcano formed approximately two million years ago through a hotspot beneath the Indian Ocean and remained geologically active for ages. Its activity stopped roughly 20000 years ago, leaving behind a dormant formation.
The mountain holds deep meaning for islanders as a symbol of Réunion's natural identity and geological power. The three valleys it created around its base have shaped communities that live within them, each developing distinct local character.
Several hiking trails lead to the summit with varying difficulty levels and distances. Many hikers use the mountain shelter Caverne Dufour as a rest point before the final push.
Erosion carved three deep valleys with nearly vertical cliffs at the volcano's base, known as the cirques. This geological feature kept these valleys isolated for centuries and shaped how people settled and lived there.
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