Aline Peltier awarded the Medal of Honour for Overseas Commitment
Aline Peltier, volcanologist and director of the Volcanological Observatory of Piton de la Fournaise (OVPF-IPGP) was awarded the Bronze Medal of Honour for Overseas Commitment on 18 June 2024 at a ceremony at the Prefecture of La Réunion.
Publication date: 19/08/2024
Awards and Distinctions, Observatories, Press
Related observatories : Volcanological Observatory of Piton de la Fournaise (OVPF-IPGP)
This medal – with its three levels of bronze, silver and gold – is designed to honour people who have distinguished themselves by their personal commitment to the service of overseas France. In particular, it is intended to reward those who, on the strength of exceptional merit, serve these territories on a daily basis.
Aline Peltier has been Director of the Volcanological Observatory of Piton de la Fournaise since 2016. In this role, she is responsible for the scientific and administrative management of the observatory, as well as managing eruptive crises at the Piton de la Fournaise volcano. As the observatory is the first link in the specific ‘Piton de la Fournaise volcano’ ORSEC system, the OVPF-IPGP management team is responsible for alerting the Indian Ocean Zone Civil Protection and General Staff in the event of changes in the volcano’s activity, imminent eruptions, the end of eruptions or felt earthquakes.
Between 2016 and 2023, she was involved in managing 21 eruptions at Piton de la Fournaise in close collaboration with the local authorities, as well as the media response that followed.
As director of the OVPF-IPGP, she is also operational manager of the REVOSIMA ( Volcanological and seismological monitoring network for Mayotte). This structure was created in June 2019 by the Prime Minister’s office following the advent of an unprecedented seismo-volcanic crisis in Mayotte linked to a volcanic eruption 50 km off the island’s east coast. In 2019, she took part in setting up this monitoring network and coordinating it at national level with scientists from various national institutes.
« I am truly honoured to receive this medal, which I share with all my colleagues at the Volcanological Observatory of Piton de la Fournaise, and which rewards a collective effort on behalf of the people of Réunion. »
Aline Peltier
